Trump's reflecting pool fix hits snags, camera captures reality

President Donald Trump announced on June 6 that the renovation of Washington D.C.'s reflecting pool was complete, declaring "All work is complete!" on social media. However, almost immediately after his announcement, the project encountered new issues. The 618-meter-long landmark, which connects the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, had been plagued by leaks, sinking, and algal blooms before Trump announced his plan to fix it in April.

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All work is complete!

Despite Trump's claims of a successful $1.8 million, week-long fix using a new "American flag blue" waterproof coating designed to last for years, problems surfaced rapidly. Sections of the new coating began to dislodge and float to the surface, while an algal bloom transformed the pool's water from its intended dark blue to a murky green. Park workers attempted to address the algae with hydrogen peroxide, but further coating failures prompted the pool to be drained for a second time this year for repairs.

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Thank you President Trump.

An investigation by ABC News, combining images from a webcam overlooking the monument with recently released Department of Justice court documents and social media posts, has created a visual timeline. This timeline highlights the conflicting narratives presented by President Trump and the behind-the-scenes reality of the pool's ongoing renovation. The pool, a site often associated with serenity and historical significance, including Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech, found itself under scrutiny due to these persistent issues.

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It's going to last many, many years and it's going to have no leaks, going to have no problems, going to be clean and beautiful.