Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
Experts Throw Cold Water on Trump’s Vandalism Claims
Published
President Trump‘s explanation for fresh damage at the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool isn’t holding water … ’cause two pool experts tell TMZ this doesn’t look like the work of vandals.
Take the plunge and watch our “TMZ Live” debate … an anonymous pool surfacing expert and veteran pool consultant Rudy Stankowitz joined us to break down what they believe really caused the mess … and both say the problem likely started during construction.
Trump says vandals are to blame … but both experts told us the problem looks self-inflicted. They pointed to installation issues — not sabotage — as the likely cause.
The anonymous expert told us the coating appears to have never properly bonded to the pool’s surface … while Stankowitz believes crews may have missed a critical recoating window during the project — two different paths to the same conclusion.
The controversy has put the Reflecting Pool’s reported $16M restoration project under a microscope.
In recent days, the project has generated headlines over algae concerns, dead ducks floating in the water, POTUS’ vandalism allegations, and a string of arrests around the iconic landmark — including a former Olympian.
Our intrepid TMZ DC producer Jacob tried to follow Trump’s trail himself … calling and then showing up at the National Park Service after Trump said officials there could prove the vandalism claim — but Jacob couldn’t get anyone to back it up.
The finger-pointing continues … catch the full interview on “TMZ Live.”