TOI Correspondent from Washington: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in the US capital was designed to mirror America’s greatness. Instead, it is currently redolent of an expensive middle-school science experiment that has gone spectacularly wrong.What began as US President Donald Trump’s ambitious $14 million effort to beautify one of the nation’s most iconic landmarks ahead of America’s 250th birthday has rapidly transformed into a spectacle — and a controversy — that combines chemistry, biology, politics, social media mockery and a federal infrastructure project gone rogue. The president’s vision was straightforward enough. The historic and often neglected body of water, stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, would receive a patriotic makeover featuring a deep “American Flag Blue” coating intended to create a more dramatic mirror effect. Instead, within days of the makeover, the pool developed a vivid green algae bloom that made the restored monument look less like a shrine to democracy and more like a resort for amphibians. Social media, naturally, has responded with the maturity and restraint for which it is famous. One viral post described the pool as “a giant vat of guacamole guarded by Abraham Lincoln,” while another suggested renaming it “Lake MAGA Verde.” A photoshopped image showed Lincoln staring solemnly across the green water beneath the caption: “Four score and seven algae blooms ago.” Another featured a giant aquarium filter installed beside the monument under the slogan: “Make America Chlorinated Again.“The Trump administration’s explanation initially centred on technical factors and unexpected environmental conditions. Critics pointed to a simpler theory routinely taught in science classrooms: dark surfaces absorb heat. As one engineer dryly noted online, the project appeared to have discovered — at taxpayer expense — that the darker coating warmed the water, creating ideal conditions for algae growth. Allegations flew about sketchy Trump buddies having won no-bid contracts for the job. To combat the bloom, workers were then observed pouring hydrogen peroxide into the seven-million-gallon basin, generating a second round of amusement, with comedians swooping down on the fiasco like seagulls on an abandoned beach picnic. Jimmy Kimmel joked that Trump “promised to drain the swamp…Instead, he spent $14 million building a new one,” while noting, “They’ve got workers out there dumping gallons of hydrogen peroxide in there—which is also how he colours his hair, by the way.” Jordan Klepper of The Daily Show offered perhaps the most memorable review, marvelling that the pool looked as though “Shrek had hosted a convention there.” Just as officials appeared to be gaining control of the algae problem, reports emerged that the expensive blue coating itself had begun peeling off. Large fragments reportedly floated to the surface like seaweed in a giant bowl of federal soup, generating even more jokes. Yet, Washington being Washington, a straightforward maintenance problem quickly acquired political overtones. MAGA commentators and conspiracy theorists accused Dems and Libs of sabotaging the project. Others floated theories that hostile bureaucrats, environmental regulations, climate activists, rogue microbes, or various combinations thereof were somehow responsible. The MAGA boss quickly cottoned on to the blame game, suggesting a journalist had deliberately peeled off the coating and posting, “It’s a shame that the Radical Left Lunatics, most likely Dumocats, who have spent their lives trying to ruin our Country, are free to do so.”Meanwhile, crews deployed an increasingly impressive arsenal of corrective measures, from vacuum systems to water treatments to filtration upgrades. Nano-bubblers — devices designed to increase oxygen levels and improve water quality — entered the conversation, sounding less like infrastructure equipment and more like characters from a Pixar movie. At various points, the rescue effort began to resemble an episode involving the National Park Service, a pool-maintenance company, and desperate chemistry teachers. Tourists visiting the National Mall watched the unfolding drama with fascination, and soon there were throngs trooping down to the show. For President Trump, who has long prized visual spectacle and grand symbolism in the nation’s capital, the Reflecting Pool was supposed to become a gleaming patriotic centrepiece for the semiquincentennial celebrations. Instead, it has become Washington’s most expensive and famous swamp.
