The renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has encountered significant problems, with its new protective lining visibly deteriorating shortly after installation.
According to a report by The Guardian, the bottom surface has faded since its spring application.
>>> Daihatsu Taft Gets Rugged Makeover and Safety Upgrades for 2026
Former President Donald Trump had designated the protective coating color as "American flag blue" during the project's initiation.
Recent observations from the Washington Monument reveal the pool floor now appears noticeably grayer than before. The troubled restoration has dragged on far past its initial completion deadline.
Trump originally aimed to have the landmark fully operational by the Fourth of July in celebration of the nation's 250th birthday.
Financial costs for the federal project have also escalated dramatically.
While Trump initially estimated the reconstruction would require $1.5 million, the final taxpayers' bill surged to over $16 million by June.
Under the project agreements, Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings secured a $14.7 million contract to repaint and waterproof the concrete floor.
Meanwhile, Ohio-based Green Water Solutions received $1.7 million to install a specialized purification system.
Despite claims that the restoration would endure for a century, severe issues emerged almost immediately.
Within days of refilling the reservoir, massive algae blooms appeared and chunks of the sealant began peeling off.
Trump has repeatedly pointed to external sabotage as the cause of the peeling paint.
Without presenting supporting evidence, he asserted that unidentified vandals had sliced a "350-foot gash" into the freshly installed lining.
