President Donald Trump personally signed hats for each worker who restored the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool and presented them with official presidential challenge coins during a White House visit on Tuesday evening. The workers, who completed their mission in time for the 250th anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Independence, visited the president with smiles.
The renovation project, finalized last week, included draining the pool, cleaning it, painting and sealing it, and refilling it. Trump praised the materials used as “highly sophisticated,” noting they were industrial strength, thick, strong, flexible, and had a natural dark blue color matching the American flag.
Speaking on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that the materials would last for 100 years. He also joked to reporters that while the pool might become “filthy” under another president, it would remain “perfect” during his term in office.
The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was constructed in 1922 and had a new circulation and filtration system installed during renovations overseen by former President Barack Obama. Trump stated the current restoration would prevent leaks.
The project initially budgeted for $1.8 million but ultimately cost more than $13 million. Historic preservationists have filed a lawsuit claiming that applying a blue coat to the pool altered its “historic character” without proper review.
Trump expressed pride in the work, saying: “I’m very proud of it. I’m very good at building things and constructing things.”
