On Thursday evening, President Trump conducted a surprise inspection at the Lincoln Memorial, visiting the Reflecting Pool to check on the progress of its renovation. The project will involve coating the pool with a layer of what he referred to as “American flag blue.” During an interview with reporters, he also discussed the current situation in Iran and his upcoming trip to China.
Accompanied by Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Trump rode in an SUV directly across the Reflecting Pool to inspect it.
Trump told reporters present, “This really is beautiful and will be very outstanding.”
He pointed out that the original gray stone bottom of the Reflecting Pool “has never looked good,” and the new blue industrial-grade sealant coating will give the pool a deep blue visual effect like a swimming pool and address leakage issues. Trump said, “It will look better than when it was first built in 1922.”
The Reflecting Pool, about 2,000 feet long, situated between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, is one of the most iconic features of the National Mall in Washington, having hosted many historically significant public gatherings.
As a former real estate developer, Trump emphasized administrative efficiency and cost control during the inspection. He revealed that he had turned down a federal renovation proposal that would have cost up to $350 million and taken several years to complete, opting instead for an alternative plan costing around $1.8 million and taking less than two weeks.
“We initially received an estimate of $355 million for repairs and with a duration of three and a half years. You can tell from its size. But we can complete it for about $1.8 million in about a week. I might give it two weeks. However, a lot of the hard work has already been done,” Trump told reporters.
He stated, “The most exciting part is just starting now, which is the coating application. The sidewalk surfaces are also being repaired and refinished. It will actually look better than brand new, much more beautiful than before.”
This project is part of Trump’s series of initiatives to reshape Washington landmarks, including the ongoing renovation of the White House’s banquet hall and the concept of repainting the gray granite exterior walls of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in white, which is currently being reviewed by two federal agencies.
The inspiration for this renovation project came from a German friend of Trump’s who had criticized the Reflecting Pool as “dirty, full of filth. The water looks disgusting, it doesn’t represent this country at all.”
During the visit, Trump mentioned that 12 trucks of trash had been removed from the pool during the construction period.
In response to reporters questioning why he was focused on the pool project amid issues like the Iran conflict and cost of living, Trump emphasized, “Our country represents beauty, cleanliness, safety, and excellent people, not a dirty capital.”
He continued, “We are refurbishing the Reflecting Pool leading to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, and you ask, ‘Why are we refurbishing it?’ You may have a higher tolerance for filth than I do, but I don’t allow it.”
The approximately 30-minute outdoor tour was conducted under high security alert.
Following an armed breach incident at a White House press dinner last month, the Secret Service has reinforced security procedures for the president in public places.
Trump disclosed that initially, Secret Service officials had advised against his direct entry into the open construction zone of the Reflecting Pool due to surrounding buildings overlooking the area, but the inspection was successfully carried out after evacuating visitors in advance.
Additionally, another renovation project is currently underway beneath the Lincoln Memorial, scheduled to open in June.
Interior Secretary Burgum noted that a vast 50,000-square-foot space beneath the memorial is being transformed into a museum and is expected to open to the public as part of the “Freedom 250” event on June 23.
Official data indicates that the government has restored 19 fountains, cleared graffiti from over a thousand spots, and cleaned up 82 homeless encampments in Washington, D.C.
Trump also hinted at having a “beautiful plan” for the Lincoln Memorial itself, but did not provide specific details.
During the on-site inspection, Trump also addressed current international issues. When asked about his upcoming trip to China next week, Trump mentioned having a “very good relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping and anticipated achieving “astonishing” results during their meeting.
He promised to raise the issue of the release of imprisoned pastor Ezra Jin Mingri of the “Zion Church” during his discussions with Chinese officials. Trump stated that he had previously helped release detainees from various countries, including China, and expressed his intention to look into the pastor’s case.
When asked if the ceasefire with Iran was still effective following the recent strikes by the U.S., Trump replied, “Yes, it is still effective.”
He added that if the ceasefire were to break, there would be no need for him to announce it – the emergence of “big explosions” from Iran would reveal the situation.
Trump also mentioned ongoing negotiations with Iran, with the core demand being that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons. He said, “The plan is simple: Iran can’t have nuclear weapons, can’t have nuclear bombs, and it won’t happen.”
Trump stated that the Iranian side knows this and has agreed to it; the remaining question is whether they are willing to sign the agreement.