Discrepancies in Costs of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Renovation

In April, President Donald Trump introduced a project to refurbish the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. He enlisted a contractor to coat the granite basin, claiming the cost would be $1.5 million. Trump criticized previous administrations during a Cabinet meeting, alleging they spent “hundreds of millions of dollars” attempting to repair the site.

Former President Barack Obama oversaw a significant renovation of the pool that wrapped up in 2012. However, the cost was substantially lower than Trump’s estimate. The Biden administration did not handle any major renovations. Federal spending records reveal that Trump’s asserted costs are not accurate.

The reflecting pool stretches over 2,000 feet and was built in the 1920s. Positioned between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, it is a historic site. Notably, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech there in 1963.

TRUMP: “The Biden administration and the Obama administration spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to get it to work, and they failed. And we’ll be spending, you’ll give me a number, but I think it’s a very low number. It’s like in the number that we originally talked about.”

The Facts: This claim is incorrect. The Obama administration funded a two-year reconstruction concluding in 2012, spending at least $34 million. The Biden administration did not engage in substantial repairs.

Trump asserted the pool renovations cost $1.5 to $2 million, but records show contracts worth at least $14.8 million have been issued. The project headed under Obama tackled issues including stagnant water, leakage, and land sinking. The pool was redesigned with a circulation system using Tidal Basin water, not city drinking water. Modifications included reducing depth to conserve water, a gray-tinted bottom enhancing reflectivity, and new paved paths.

The Associated Press noted the 2012 reconstruction cost $34 million, and additional contracts related totaled at least $1.3 million. Despite these efforts, the pool remained leaky and developed algae.

Under Biden, Chuck Sams, former National Park Service director, mentioned a “full rehabilitation” had an estimate over $100 million and was halted. Regular annual cleanings occurred to manage algae growth.

Reacting to Trump’s claim, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers emailed: “Thanks to President Trump, the Reflecting Pool will be restored to all its glory ahead of America’s 250th celebrations at a fraction of the money that the former Presidents Obama and Biden squandered only to worsen its condition!”

In April, Trump declared renovations included a new “industrial grade pool” surface in “American flag blue” for $1.5 million, instead of replacing the old granite which was predicted to cost $301 million and take three years to complete.

During a Cabinet meeting, Trump detailed that the pool underwent steam-cleaning, fumigation, and coating. He mentioned using “a very sophisticated form of rubber” against leaks and the removal of “more than 10 dumpsters of garbage.”

Interior Department spokeswoman Katie Martin did not clarify the discrepancies between Trump’s claims and federal records. She mentioned the price reflects efforts to speed up the leak prevention project, involving more resources to meet the timeline before America’s 250th anniversary.