General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSNOPES: Did Trump's motorcade drive through newly painted reflecting pool?
YES, so he could "inspect" it.
In short, the claim is true and the images are authentic. In early May 2026, after the pool was repainted dark blue and before the NPS began to refill it with water, a White House official posted a video showing Trump's motorcade driving though the landmark. . . .
For further reading, Snopes debunked a rumor that the Trump Organization was selling pieces of peeling paint from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Lonestarblue
(13,631 posts)Bluetus
(3,275 posts)MustLoveBeagles
(18,277 posts)pansypoo53219
(23,257 posts)LisaL
(47,999 posts)What kind of damage did that do? Meanwhile they are arresting people for touching the water.
mdbl
(8,952 posts)He can barely stand anymore.
Kid Berwyn
(25,473 posts)Like in the Villages.
WhatTheFlux
(55 posts)The motorcade vehicles weigh several tons apiece, and their hot tires can easily damage pool paint.
Attilatheblond
(9,475 posts)Throw in the added weight of the bloated blowhard in chief, and that thing probably did some damage to the stability of the floor of the pool.
Mr.Bee
(1,967 posts)LisaL
(47,999 posts)So it's not really funny to me. Frankly I find it outrageous.
LessAspin
(2,102 posts)U.S. President Donald Trump's motorcade drives on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as it undergoes renovations, in Washington, D.C. This drive through is the vandalism to the pond as the weight of all these cars had to affect the foundation.
— OLA â®ï¸ (@annfowleravery.bsky.social) 2026-06-22T00:40:15.166Z
Link to tweet
Scruffy1
(3,560 posts)I don't think the cars would damage it unless they were doing burnouts.
LisaL
(47,999 posts)That Trump is claiming vandals are destroying.
You don't think driving on a freshly painted surface could damage the paint?
maxsolomon
(39,396 posts)I have a bus line about 200' from my house. In the morning, I can hear the street slabs going up when the bus crosses the expansion joint, and when it drives off. Thump thump thump thump...
Displacement of the slabs on either side of a joint could crack the coating.
stopdiggin
(15,834 posts)BurnDoubt
(1,941 posts)FakeNoose
(42,966 posts)This image was created by Occupy Democrats, but shown on Snopes (OP link):

Is that you, Chump?
Sneederbunk
(17,764 posts)Dave Bowman
(7,561 posts)kacekwl
(9,306 posts)ask the bloated liar about this ?
maxsolomon
(39,396 posts)He'd just lie.
It's not the fault of "intrepid reporters" that they cannot force that POS to be honest about one thing.
canetoad
(21,206 posts)You can see the picture of the area that appears to have been painted - it's really shiny. But you can also see a grid pattern, Maybe 'tiles' or similar, that make up the pool's surface.
Don't you think its a coincidence that the sheets of liner that are peeling off are strangely geometric in shape? Almost like the lining had split along those pattern marks in the pool.
stopdiggin
(15,834 posts)I was under the impression that it was a widespread issue ....
LisaL
(47,999 posts)Oh wait...
stopdiggin
(15,834 posts)As the saying goes, "got yer back ..." " kinder' way back ... "
- - - - - - -
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LisaL
(47,999 posts)NT
dpibel
(4,041 posts)I believe that the still photographs included in the OP do not constitute the entirety of the drive.
I think that driving multiple heavy vehicles the length of the Reflecting Lake...err...Pond...err...whatever could cause damage almost anywhere along the course of travel.
IOW: widespread.
stopdiggin
(15,834 posts)"shiny surface - grid pattern"
Your theory is a different one. And more expansive.
There are a range of explanations (and/or theories) out there. Starting with the difficulty (and some complexity?) involved in applying such a coating/treatment - particularly over such an extensive expanse. (and in several 'timed' coats?) Second up, is the questionable substrate (granite) which has also raised questions, and question marks. The professionals that have been consulted seem not eager to point a finger - at least at this time. But, of course - nothing standing in the way of you and I .. ! Yeah ?
dpibel
(4,041 posts)pnwmom
(110,344 posts)as I understand it, so Trump could give it his a-ok.
usonian
(27,094 posts)
SO, TRUMP, ARE YOU CHICKEN?
WELL

pnwmom
(110,344 posts)BootinUp
(51,769 posts)EXPERTS
IN
THE
WORLD.
Now Open the GD strait you bastards!!!!