Work continues on draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after a Trump administration renovation project faced peeling paint and algae blooms, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 13, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
President Donald Trump drained the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, claiming vandals had created a 300-yard gash in its lining.
However, reporters and on-the-ground observers saw no such damage.
Viral photos instead showed tire tracks on the pool's floor, evidence pointing to Trump's presidential motorcade, which had driven across the freshly sealed surface in May.
Photographer Joe Flood posted images showing two long parallel lines in the blue coating, questioning the vandalism narrative. He wrote on X, "for Reflecting Pool fans: take a look at the drained sections. If there's a 350-foot cut in it, I don't see it yet."
Flood's pictures were consistent with those shared by reporter Keith Edwards.
Trump later doubled down on Truth Social, insisting the damage was intentional vandalism.
Meanwhile, one of six people arrested in connection with the pool was Olympic David Hearn, 67, charged with a felony carrying up to 10 years in prison for briefly touching a loose coating flap.
Attorney Seth Abramson argued on X, "Per his own edict, he must now do 10 years in federal prison."
Watch the video below.