There is nothing that Trump does that they like or give him credit for.
The Trump administration is criticizing The Washington Post after the newspaper suggested that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool "looks almost the same" following a $10 million renovation project ordered by President Donald Trump.
The controversy erupted after The Washington Post shared side-by-side images of the Reflecting Pool from 2022 and 2026 on social media, accompanied by the caption: "After Trump's $10 million renovation, the Reflecting Pool is full again — and looks almost the same."
The outlet also highlighted that the project took six weeks to complete and cost more than Trump initially projected. However, the post quickly generated backlash online, with critics arguing that the comparison photos themselves appeared to show visible improvements resulting from the renovation.
Members of the Trump administration joined the criticism, accusing the newspaper of minimizing the results of the project. The Trump War Room account responded with a blunt message: "The water was green. Now it's not. Hope this helps," while sharing an older image of the pool.
Trump first announced plans to renovate what he described as the "absolutely filthy" Reflecting Pool in March, with the goal of completing the work before Independence Day celebrations. The project focused on restoring and improving one of the most recognizable landmarks on the National Mall.
The renovation has not been without controversy. Some critics objected to plans involving an "industrial-grade" resurfacing material in a shade described as "American flag blue." The nonprofit Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) even filed a lawsuit against the National Park Service seeking to stop the project.
Supporters of the renovation argue that preserving national landmarks and improving public spaces is a worthwhile investment, particularly when the facilities have fallen into disrepair. They also contend that the before-and-after images demonstrate noticeable improvements despite claims to the contrary.
The debate highlights the broader political battles that often surround even relatively straightforward public works projects. Apparently, in Washington, not even cleaning up a reflecting pool can avoid becoming a partisan controversy.
With the project now complete and the pool restored ahead of national celebrations, the administration is presenting the renovation as another example of efforts to improve iconic American landmarks and enhance the visitor experience at one of the nation’s most historic sites.
