Trump may have damaged Reflecting Pool by having motorcade drive over it
Trumpās decision to drive his motorcade across the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool earlier this year is facing renewed scrutiny.
6/25/2026
President Donald Trumpās decision to have his motorcade drive across the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during a high-profile inspection last month is facing renewed scrutiny, as questions mount over whether the move may have contributed to damage now plaguing the newly renovated landmark. Video accounts showed that Trumpās convoy drove over the drained, newly sealed basin in May as part of a tour of the project, which had been repainted āAmerican flag blueā ahead of the nationās 250th anniversary. In the weeks that followed, the pool began showing signs of deterioration, including peeling coating. While experts and fact-checkers note that it remains unclear whether the heavy vehicles directly caused the damage, the timing has fueled debate over whether the motorcadeās weight might have compromised the freshly treated surface.
Trump's motorcade driving on the newly repainted Reflecting Pool basin on May 7, 2026... contributing to its failure
