Two videos posted to X by PatriotTakes appear to show pet-store fish being released into a chlorinated pool at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C., where children and adults are seen trying to scoop them up with cups. Experts cite the Merck Veterinary Manual to warn that chlorine is highly toxic to fish and can cause serious harm or death even after brief exposure. PETA condemned the footage, said it has not verified the location, and offered to help any surviving fish. The Daily Beast contacted the White House for comment as verification of the clips continues.
Video Appears To Show Pet-Store Fish Dumped Into Chlorinated Pool At Trump National Golf Club
Fish were reportedly dumped into a chlorinated pool at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C. for a bizarre Labor Day weekend game. / X App / Screenshot
Two videos posted on Thursday appear to show pet-store fish being released into a chemically treated swimming pool at Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C., reportedly as part of a Labor Day–weekend game. The clips, shared by the PatriotTakes account on X, show parents and children walking the pool deck with plastic cups as they try to scoop up distressed fish struggling in the water.
Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C. dumped fish into a chlorinated pool for a bizarre Labor Day weekend game. / X App / Screenshot
One of the videos includes footage of former President Donald Trump walking around the pool area, and observers say the clips appear to capture the same event. Trump bought the private club in 2009 for $13 million.
President Donald Trump golfing at Trump National Golf Club. / Rob Carr / Getty Images
Experts warn that chlorine is dangerous for fish. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, chlorine is highly toxic to fish, with adverse effects possible at very low concentrations and death possible at higher levels. The videos show fish swimming erratically while children chase them and attempt to catch them with cups.
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Reuters/Getty
Responses and Reactions
The footage drew swift online outrage. Users on X criticized the stunt and called for accountability. Writer Amy Lynn Phillips Thatcher described the act as sick, while journalist Jim Stewartson called the scene disturbing and needlessly cruel.
A young girl plays with an animatronic Dolphin during a Los Angeles PETA event in 2021. / VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty Images
PETA told The Daily Beast that it has not independently verified the footage, but that even brief exposure to chlorine can be devastating for fish. The organization added that no fish should be harassed, chased, grabbed, fought over, or potentially stepped on by excited children who may not mean to hurt them, and that children should be taught empathy for animals.
PETA also said it stands ready to help care for any surviving fish and works with event organizers to design humane activities that let children learn respect and compassion for animals.
The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment. The provenance and full circumstances of the videos remain under verification; the posting account and on-screen footage point to Trump National Golf Club, but independent confirmation of the origin and timing of the clips is still pending.
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