The White House launched a personal attack against former CNN anchor Jim Acosta this week, responding to his self-filmed report that cast doubt on President Trump's claims of vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The White House’s rapid response team posted on X, formerly Twitter, calling Acosta "one of the dumbest individuals to ever exist" and advising him to "seek professional help."
Acosta's report, posted on June 24, was a response to a claim made by Trump to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that "six or seven" individuals had vandalized the pool with a blade. Trump stated, "They went to the bottom, and it’s not a paint job... and they went down with probably a box cutter or a very sharp razor of some kind or knife, and they cut."
In his video, Acosta walked the length of the Reflecting Pool, stating, "Went looking for the 300 foot ‘slit’ or ‘slits’ in the Reflecting Pool Trump keeps lying about. Didn’t find any of that. But did find plenty of signs the paint on the bottom of the pool has simply disintegrated." He concluded his report by saying, "Again, shocker here, I’m sorry to report what he’s saying is 100 percent pure bullsh*t."
The National Park Service confirmed on June 25 that the pool's liner had indeed been "cut with a sharp knife or razor" earlier in the month, providing details in a court document related to a lawsuit seeking to halt construction. Deputy Director Frank Lands stated in the document that there was a "350-foot gash" cut into the liner with a sharp object and destruction of "delaminating surface material." The agency reported the incident occurred on June 9.
The Trump administration has overseen a renovation of the Reflecting Pool, a project costing over $14 million. The contractor chosen for the renovation has not previously worked on such projects. Criticism has arisen due to algae blooms that have turned the water green, impacting the desired "American flag blue" hue Trump has promised for the pool.
Trump had previously stated that officials would release images and proof to support his vandalism claim. The administration's renovation is intended to be completed in time for the nation's 250th birthday celebrations.
Acosta departed CNN last year after refusing a shift in his morning show's time slot. He currently operates a Substack newsletter titled 'The Jim Acosta Show.'