Trump denies report Reflecting Pool drained for peeling paint

President Donald Trump on Tuesday fumed over reporting from ABC News that the administration had drained the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., to deal with peeling paint, saying that he had done so to repair damage from vandalism.

"ABC Fake News and its shaky anchor, David Muir, said that the Reflecting Pool was drained to address Peeling Paint (there is no paint, it was slashed with a knife, or box cutter, high grade colored waterproofing liner - it was VANDALISM!) and Algae Blooms (also caused by Vandals, but removed long ago!)," he posted on Truth Social.

"In other words, the story was FAKE NEWS, but heavily slanted away from the real cause of the problem, Vandalism," he added. "It will be fixed soon, and better than ever. 60 monuments and fountains have been cleaned and fully renovated in D.C., and crime is at record lows!  Washington has never looked better, or been safer!"

Trump has organized renovations to the Reflecting Pool as part of his broader effort to beautify Washington, D.C. The effort has become a focal point for local pushback and the monument has become the target of repeated vandalism.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.