Trump reiterates claim vandals damaged Reflecting Pool floor as it is drained
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President Donald Trump said the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was being drained and alleged that its floor had been slashed by vandals, despite no evidence presented.
President Donald Trump said the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was being drained on Monday and repeated his administration’s claim that the pool’s floor had been cut by vandals. In a post on his social-media platform, he said the surface was covered with a "high-grade colored waterproofing liner" rather than peeling paint and that the damage appeared to be caused by a knife or box cutter. The statement did not include any supporting evidence.
Trump also suggested that recent algae growth in the pool was linked to the alleged vandalism, although the issue has been a long-standing problem for the historic site. ABC News anchor David Muir mentioned the drainage briefly during Monday’s broadcast of "ABC World News Tonight," noting that this was the second time the pool had been emptied in recent months.
The president has previously criticized ABC News coverage and referenced a $16 million settlement in a defamation lawsuit he filed against the network.