Fox News host Laura Ingraham faced criticism on social media after suggesting that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's condition was a result of vandalism and that Democrats bore responsibility.
Ingraham posted on X, "Will any Democrat urge people not to vandalize the Reflecting Pool?" This echoed claims previously made by President Donald Trump, who has been focused on the landmark's upkeep ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration this summer. The renovations, costing $14 million, have been accompanied by issues such as algae blooms and peeling paint.
Critics, including celebrity chef José Andrés, pushed back against Ingraham's statement. Andrés wrote on X, "no one has vandalize the Reflecting pool….no one!" Others demanded proof of any vandalism, noting the pool's constant surveillance. A user on X suggested, "We’ve been trying to get Trump to stop but he just keeps messing with it and making it worse. Here you go: I urge Trump to stop vandalizing govt property by employing people with our tax dollars who don’t know what they’re doing."
President Trump has also blamed the pool's deteriorating state on his Democratic predecessors and accused ABC News of neglecting to report on the maintenance costs incurred by past administrations. He has also claimed vandals with knives damaged the pool, a narrative that Ingraham appeared to support.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the awarding of a $1.7 million no-bid contract for the pool's cleaning to Green Water Solutions, a company reportedly owned by Trump donor J.J. Cafaro. The company's use of a "nanobubble" filtration system to combat algae has so far shown limited success.
Social media users questioned the vandalism claims, pointing out that the pool is under 24/7 surveillance and that any such activity would likely be captured on camera and reported by Fox News. The pushback highlighted a perceived lack of evidence for the vandalism narrative and suggested that the renovation efforts themselves might be contributing to the pool's problems.