America’s corporate media machine appears to have found its latest national emergency — algae in the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

This week, major outlets including CNN, ABC, CBS, and others have devoted extensive attention to algae blooms appearing in the iconic Washington landmark, turning what critics describe as a maintenance issue into headline material.

The attention comes after President Donald Trump pushed efforts to beautify the nation’s capital following years of deterioration and neglect. According to critics of the media coverage, the intense focus on the reflecting pool is less about water quality and more about creating a narrative that questions whether the reported $14 million renovation project was worthwhile.

The argument being pushed, according to those criticisms, is that visible algae somehow outweighs the broader effort to restore one of America’s most recognizable monuments — a conclusion some Americans may find difficult to accept.

At the same time, critics argue that the same outlets showing round-the-clock concern over algae appear far less interested in dedicating equal energy to covering issues such as crime, fraud, homelessness, and drug use affecting cities across the country.

Because apparently, in modern media priorities, algae is front-page material while everything else waits in line.

Supporters of the restoration effort maintain that improvement projects are rarely perfect from day one and that addressing temporary issues should not overshadow broader attempts to preserve national landmarks and restore civic pride.