Trump cites contractor error in Reflecting Pool damage, still blames former Olympian canoeist

President Trump spoke on Sunday about damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, attributing the extensive deterioration to “some contractor error” during recent renovations. He also reiterated his claim that a former Olympic canoeist had vandalized the Washington, D.C., landmark, despite the fact that charges against the athlete were later dropped.

The former president noted that the pool suffered “substantial damage” but that no video evidence had been produced to confirm his allegations. He maintained that the vandalism was intentional and that the athlete’s actions were part of a broader pattern of misconduct. The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service have not issued a statement confirming the contractor error or the vandalism claims.

The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of the preservation work at the memorial, and the investigation into the alleged vandal remains ongoing. Officials have not yet released further details, and no official confirmation of the contractor’s role or the vandal’s involvement has been made public.