President Donald Trump has conceded that he lacks definitive evidence, such as video footage, to support his persistent claims that vandals damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, "There was substantial other damage to the Reflecting Pool, also but, unfortunately, there is no video or proof, other than the damage, itself." This admission comes after repeated assertions that proof existed.
Previously, Trump had claimed the existence of "photographs, or tapes, like moving cameras" and stated, "We also have pictures." When pressed for these images, he indicated they would be revealed at a later time, suggesting they might be presented in court. These claims were made multiple times in the past, including in June.
These statements contrast with recent developments regarding the renovation. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, dropped criminal charges against former Olympic athlete David Hearn, who had been accused of damaging the pool. Pirro released a statement acknowledging that the damage was the result of a botched installation, not vandalism. Hearn had maintained his innocence throughout the process.
Despite Pirro's statement, Trump's recent Truth Social post cited "a highly credible witness" from the National Park Service who allegedly saw Hearn "violently" damage the pool's coating. This assertion appears inconsistent with Trump's earlier descriptions of the pool's lining, which he had characterized in May as "so strong, so powerful" that it could not be cut with a knife. He had even driven his motorcade over the lining during its installation to inspect the work.
Trump acknowledged that "there was also some contractor error done," but described it as "relatively inconsequential." The Reflecting Pool underwent renovation in the spring in preparation for Independence Day celebrations. However, the project was quickly beset by issues, including the lining peeling and the pool developing algae shortly after its reopening. Trump had also attributed the algae problem to vandals.
Trump indicated on Sunday that the Reflecting Pool would reopen shortly.