Trump’s trip to the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool unfolded as a brief but highly staged stop on Thursday, after he ordered the pool coated in a blue color he said would improve the look of the landmark. The visit was described by the Associated Press as unannounced, with reporters brought to the area to wait for the president before the sun set. Trump then drove across the newly coated reflecting pool area to inspect it and later addressed reporters there.
Trump said the coating, which he called “American flag blue,” would cover what he described as the pool’s gray stone, which he said was “never good.” Standing in the reflecting pool, Trump told reporters that the project would deliver “the great color” he said people wanted, and he said the work had cost nearly $2 million.
The AP reported that Trump was accompanied by Cabinet secretaries as he spoke, including Doug Burgum, who leads the Interior Department, and Markwayne Mullin, who leads the Department of Homeland Security. In his remarks, Trump portrayed the change as an improvement in the pool’s appearance and cleanliness.
Trump also compared the reflecting pool project to other Trump-adjacent plans for federal buildings. He previously expressed concerns about the gray granite exterior of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House, and in Thursday’s comments he renewed his desire to cover the building in white paint. He said two federal agencies are reviewing the proposal.
In addition to the reflecting pool and the nearby executive office building, Trump said he was working on changes to the Lincoln Memorial itself. He did not provide specifics when asked, telling reporters only that “we have a beautiful plan” in mind.
Reporting on the renovation, the AP said work has been underway at the memorial for the past few years on an underground visitors’ center that is scheduled to open in June. Trump last month announced the reflecting pool renovation during an unrelated appearance in the Oval Office, describing it as inspired by complaints from a friend visiting from Germany who said the water in the pool looked dark and dirty.
Critics cited by AP have questioned whether Trump is spending too much time and attention on projects they describe as personal priorities, rather than focusing on issues they say voters care about more directly, including the cost of living, ahead of the November elections. Others, according to the AP, have said Trump wants the reflecting pool to look more like a swimming pool.
When a reporter asked why Trump was focused on the reflecting pool given U.S. military action in Iran, Trump responded by describing what he said was done after garbage was removed from the pool and by arguing that the United States should represent cleanliness and safety. He said, “Our country is about beauty, cleanliness, safety, great people. Not a filthy capital.” He added, “We’re fixing up the reflecting pond to the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and you say, ‘Why are you fixing it up?’” and went on to say that he would not allow what he described as dirt to remain.
As covered previously, Trump had said the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was being coated after inspectors began work. On Thursday, he framed the completed coating and his on-site remarks as part of his broader effort to reshape the look of prominent Washington landmarks.