President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated photo of himself relaxing in the Reflecting Pool on Washington, D.C.'s National Mall. The image features him on a gold inflatable with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. It coincides with ongoing renovations to repaint the pool ahead of the U.S. 250th birthday celebrations.
The Reflecting Pool has been drained in recent days for construction workers to apply a protective coating in “American Flag Blue”. This work aims to seal leaks and prevent future costly repairs to the monument. The White House stated the updates are expected to take about one week and cost $2 million, part of broader Trump administration renovations around the White House and capital. These preparations are for this summer’s events marking the United States’ 250th birthday. Trump defended the changes, arguing, “It will look far more beautiful than it did in 1922,” and adding, “It was filthy dirty, and it leaked like a sieve.” The Department of the Interior, led by Doug Burgum, promoted the project to “restore and preserve America’s most iconic landmarks.” Criticism has emerged from preservationists. Charles Birnbaum, former coordinator of the National Park Service’s Historic Landscape Initiative, told POLITICO, “The reflecting pool is hallowed ground,” and “It shouldn’t resemble a swimming pool.” The National Park Service classifies the pool as a memorial designed solely for viewing, where wading, swimming, or walking in shallow water is illegal.
