The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., has turned green due to an algae bloom following a recent renovation project [1, 2].

The incident has drawn national attention as the pool was specifically redesigned to appear "American-flag blue" in preparation for the U.S. 250th-anniversary celebrations [3, 4].

President Donald Trump oversaw the renovation to alter the water's hue. While some reports place the cost of the project at $14 million [1], other sources indicate the total was less than $20 million [2]. The final expenditure represents a significant increase from the initial projections mentioned by the president.

"I originally thought I'd do it for $2 or $3 million," Trump said [2].

The sudden shift from blue to green occurred during the May and June reporting period [2, 5]. The change in color has become a focal point for late-night critics and political commentators. Jimmy Kimmel noted the irony of the situation, saying, "President Trump ‘promised he would drain the swamp’" [5].

Government officials have moved to rectify the water quality issues. A Department of the Interior spokesperson said the algae bloom turning the pool green is being "vacuumed up as we speak" [4].

The pool remains a central landmark on the National Mall, and the effort to maintain the specific blue aesthetic continues despite the biological interference [1, 5].

“"I originally thought I'd do it for $2 or $3 million," Trump said.”

The situation highlights the technical difficulty of maintaining artificial aesthetic standards in large, open-air bodies of water. By attempting to force a specific color for symbolic purposes, the administration created a visual contrast that amplified the impact of a natural algae bloom, turning a maintenance issue into a high-profile political liability.