President Donald Trump claimed Monday that "vandals" used a knife to slash the paint on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, causing it to peel. However, his past statements about the durability of the recently applied paint directly contradict this explanation.
Speaking to reporters, Trump stated that a knife or "box cutter" created a "290, 300-foot slit" in the paint, adding that "five people are arrested and five people are under investigation."
This assertion contrasts with remarks Trump made on May 4, when he discussed the renovations. At that time, he described the paint as lasting for at least 50 years and being so strong that it could not be cut with a knife. "This will last for at least 50 years, you'll never have a leak. It's very strong," Trump said. "You couldn't, if you had a knife. I don't want to give anybody ideas. If you had a knife, you can't even cut it. So strong, so powerful. It's like powerful rubber."
A side-by-side video comparison posted by The Bulwark highlights the discrepancy between Trump's recent explanation and his earlier comments.