WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump made a surprise visit on Thursday to inspect renovations to the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool, one of several high-profile projects the former real estate developer is pursuing across the nation’s capital as he seeks to leave a visible mark on Washington.
“It’s really beautiful, and it’s going to be fantastic,” Trump told reporters during a visit to the site, where he viewed ongoing work on the drained basin. He said the overhaul would replace the pool’s “gray stone” appearance with a more vibrant, industrial-strength coating in the color of a blue swimming pool.
He added, “It’s going to look better than it did in 1922 when it was built.”
The renovation of the memorial’s water feature has become one of the most visible examples of Trump’s effort to remake prominent landmarks in Washington. The project involves draining, cleaning and resurfacing the nearly century-old basin that stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, a site that has hosted some of the country’s most historic public gatherings.
The roughly 30-minute visit came amid heightened security surrounding Trump following an incident last month at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in which an armed man attempted to enter the ballroom where the president was scheduled to deliver remarks. The episode prompted a broader review of security procedures for Trump appearances, particularly at public venues and outdoor events in Washington.
Trump said earlier this week that Secret Service officials discouraged him from walking directly into the reflecting pool construction area because of surrounding buildings overlooking the site. “They were not thrilled,” Trump said. “We have to be a little conscious of that.”
Secret Service cleared the heavily touristed area ahead of Trump’s visit.
Trump previously said he was motivated to oversee the renovation after a friend visiting from Germany criticized the condition of the reflecting pool. “He said, ‘It’s filthy, dirty. The water is disgusting looking. It’s not representative of the country,’” Trump told reporters at a White House event last month, recounting the conversation as the catalyst for the project.
Trump said he rejected a federal proposal that he said would have cost roughly $350 million and taken years to complete, instead opting for a $1.9 million renovation that will take less than two weeks.
(Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
