Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image at 11:32 p.m. intended to show the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in "American flag blue," but the picture used a bright green hue that echoed an algae bloom that had ruined the pool’s relining. The $14 million, no-bid relining by Atlantic Industrial Coatings began to peel, and sheets of liner floated in the water. Prosecutors dropped vandalism charges in late July after the U.S. Attorney's Office concluded the damage resulted from flawed installation; Trump criticized the U.S. attorney and later acknowledged some contractor error. The green-image faux pas was one of several late-night AI posts, posted as the administration blames prior presidents for neglect.
Trump’s Late-Night AI Post Backfires as Algae-Tinted Image References Lincoln Reflecting Pool
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Donald Trump’s late-night Truth Social post at 11:32 p.m. drew fresh attention — and ridicule — after an AI-generated image meant to show the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in “American flag blue” instead used a bright green tone matching an algae bloom that plagued the site.
Trump's Reflecting Pool is given an AI makeover. / Truth Social
What Happened
As part of a controversial relining project, the White House contracted Atlantic Industrial Coatings on a no-bid basis to resurface the pool with material described by the president as “American flag blue.” The $14 million liner began peeling shortly after installation, pieces floated free in the water, and green algae (reported as Scenedesmus) spread through the pool, forcing it to be drained and repaired again.
Donald Trump repeatedly blasted Jeanine Pirro in public after she dropped the Reflecting Pool vandalism charges. / Leah Millis/Reuters
Legal Fallout
The administration initially alleged vandalism and brought charges against several people, including former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who denied involvement. By late July, prosecutors dropped the charges after the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, led by Jeanine Pirro, filed a document concluding the damage was "the result of flawed installation by the contractor."
Trump ordered the pool to be drained for repairs after the project faced a series of setbacks, including alleged vandalism. / Tom Brenner / Getty Images
Trump responded angrily to the decision, saying he "disagreed 100 percent" with Pirro, that she "folded like a cheap umbrella," and adding, "I think she choked."
Hearn told the BBC he "didn't destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part," and his lawyers said Trump "owes Mr. Hearn an apology." In August, Trump acknowledged some responsibility, posting that "as with many jobs, there was also some contractor error done by rushing the job."
Paint peeled from the bottom, and the water turned green in the Trump administration's Reflecting Pool fiasco. / Annabelle Gordon / REUTERS
Late-Night Posting Spree
The green-tinged AI image was part of a string of late-night posts. Two minutes later, Trump shared another AI-generated image styled like a painting of himself at the White House podium with the caption "The Best Press Secretary." He also posted images of himself walking through a corridor and one praising the Keystone oil pipeline. The posts came as Karoline Leavitt reportedly prepares to leave her role as press secretary at month’s end.
Context And Reactions
Signs placed around the pool have shifted blame to prior administrations, claiming neglect dating back to 1922 and citing clogged pipes and dirty coping stones. The episode — an attempted PR image that unintentionally echoed the very problem it was meant to erase — underscored ongoing criticism of the project’s execution and the use of no-bid contracts.
The Daily Beast and other outlets sought comment from the White House. The incident has become both a factual story about a failed renovation and a symbolic moment in the broader public conversation about the administration’s handling of federal projects and communications.
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