Donald Trump authorized a $14 million project to resurface and repaint the National Mall’s reflecting pool in Washington, D.C., painting it a dark blue shade meant to evoke the American flag.
- June 17, 2026
AceShowbiz - Donald Trump authorized a $14 million project to resurface and repaint the National Mall’s reflecting pool in Washington, D.C., painting it a dark blue shade meant to evoke the American flag. However, within a week of completion, the water turned green due to rapid algae growth.
The White House characterized the green hue as residual algae and quickly dispatched workers to treat the pool with hydrogen peroxide. The darker paint caused the water to retain more heat, creating ideal conditions for the algae to thrive. Despite efforts to manage the problem, the algae visibly marred the freshly renovated landmark.
Jimmy Kimmel, known for hosting and producing the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, seized on the mishap for comedic commentary. He criticized Trump’s spending on the project while failing to maintain the pool, mocking conservative media defenses and sarcastically challenging Trump to swim across the reflecting pool. Kimmel’s quips highlighted the absurdity of the algae issue overshadowing a costly renovation.
This development underscores the challenges of large-scale public projects, especially those involving environmental factors like water temperature and algae growth. The reflecting pool’s unexpected green tint has sparked debate about the project’s planning and upkeep, raising questions about priorities in managing iconic national sites.