Trump admits Lincoln Memorial pool work was rushed, but blames vandals

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has conceded that the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, undertaken by his administration, was rushed and of poor quality. However, he continues to assert that vandals were responsible for the damage to the Washington landmark.

“

As with many jobs, there was also some contractor error done by rushing the job.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that the contractor cut corners to complete the $14 million repainting project in time for a July 4th opening. "As with many jobs, there was also some contractor error done by rushing the job," he wrote, characterizing the resulting damage as confined to a "very small area" and "relatively inconsequential."

This admission came as Trump reiterated his accusation that extensive damage to the pool's blue coating was the work of vandals. He cited testimony from an unnamed U.S. National Park Service employee, described as a "highly credible witness," who allegedly saw former Olympic canoeist David Hearn damaging the pool's lining. Trump noted the lack of video proof, relying instead on the damage itself and the witness account.

“

There was substantial other damage to the Reflecting Pool, also but, unfortunately, there is no video or proof, other than the damage, itself.

The situation escalated when Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia and a Trump loyalist, moved to drop charges against Hearn and others accused of vandalism. Pirro's office concluded that the damage stemmed primarily from a botched installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, rather than deliberate sabotage. Trump reacted angrily to this decision, publicly disagreeing with his appointee and questioning her judgment.

“

disagreed 100%

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who oversees the National Park Service, supported Trump's stance against Pirro, stating his department provided prosecutors with expert and eyewitness testimony documenting vandalism. Pirro's office, however, disputed this, claiming prosecutors had limited information initially and later obtained records about installation problems that weakened the government's vandalism case. Hearn's lawyers have vehemently rejected the vandalism narrative, asserting the case against their client was baseless. The reflecting pool, repainted "American flag blue" as part of beautification efforts for America's 250th anniversary, remains closed and is not expected to reopen before September 10.

“

folded like a cheap umbrella