Washington D.C. Reflecting Pool Damaged by Knife, Not Fertiliser as Trump Claimed

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. sustained damage from a sharp instrument, according to the National Park Service. This assessment follows former President Donald Trump’s claims that vandals had created a “300-foot-long gash” and introduced fertiliser into the water body.

Investigations by park officials determined that the pool’s liner was cut with a knife or razor. This incident did not involve a “gash” of the magnitude described by Mr. Trump, nor was there any evidence of fertiliser contamination. The National Park Service stated that the damage was confined to a specific area, requiring localised repairs rather than extensive replacement.

Mr. Trump had previously used the alleged damage as a talking point in his public statements, asserting a deliberate act of sabotage. However, the official findings present a more contained incident, focusing on vandalism with a sharp object. The cost of repairs has not been publicly disclosed by the National Park Service.