Trump Says Reflecting Pool Renovations Are ‘Ahead Of Schedule’ After Report Suggests Delay

BreakingBusinessTrump Says Reflecting Pool Renovations Are ‘Ahead Of Schedule’ After Report Suggests DelayByAntonio Pequeño IV,Forbes Staff. Pequeño is a breaking news reporter who covers tech and more.Follow AuthorMay 16, 2026, 04:46pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.ToplineRenovations on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington are ahead of schedule, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post Saturday, after a New York Times report citing government documents said the project may not be completed by a deadline set for this month.Trump said his administration's "goal" is to have the Reflecting Pool renovations complete before July 4.Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty ImagesKey FactsTrump’s post said the renovations are “ahead of schedule,” noting the “goal” is to have them completed before the Fourth of July, which will coincide with the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations organized by the Trump administration. The pool is being fixed for leaks and having its gray floor repaved with “American flag blue,” according to Trump.The tinted waterproofing created patchy shades of blue, according to the documents reported by the Times, with bubbles and small holes appearing in a layer designed to waterproof the Reflecting Pool.The documents also acknowledged the possibility of missing the government’s deadline of May 22, with public records revealing the renovations will cost at least $13.1 million—far more than Trump’s initial estimates of $1.8 million.Trump said in his post the renovation cost would be “a small fraction of the money” used by the Obama and Biden administrations, though the latter never attempted a major renovation of the Reflecting Pool, while the Obama administration spent $35 million trying to fix its persistent leakage and algae buildup issues. if (!window.cnxel) { window.cnxel = {}; window.cnxel.cmd = []; var iframe = document...