The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. is undergoing a renovation. President Donald Trump announced that the pool began refilling on Thursday. A video displayed clean, bubbling water entering the freshly painted basin at the foot of the memorial.
The pool features a new blue protective coating in preparation for the United States’ 250th anniversary on June 4, 2026. Currently, construction continues around the pool, which is being painted in a shade President Trump terms “American flag blue.” The administration aims to fill it no later than Sunday.
President Trump proposed a new ‘promenade’ to connect the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River. There is a suggestion to name it the ‘Trump Promenade,’ though no final decision has been made. The renovation project cost is estimated between $1.5 million and $2 million by Trump, while records indicate contracts for $14.8 million have been issued.
The restoration project marks another effort by Trump to make a substantial impact on Washington. This follows the construction of a ballroom replacing the White House East Wing and a proposed arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Initially constructed in the 1920s, the reflecting pool is a historic landmark, famously hosting Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
Before a 2012 renovation, the pool held approximately 6.5 million gallons of water. It now utilizes a system drawing water from the Tidal Basin instead of city resources. Washington is experiencing drought conditions, raising concerns about resource use. Critics argue Trump focuses excessively on personal projects instead of voter concerns like cost of living. Others speculate the renovations aim to give the pool a swimming pool appearance.
This month, the Cultural Landscape Foundation filed a lawsuit intended to halt the project, criticizing the new color as theme park-like. A court decision is pending, and the Trump administration has informed the court that work has now concluded.
Efforts to reach the Interior Department for details were unanswered.