See blue paint peel away in Lincoln Memorial’s iconic Reflecting Pool

Bare patches are visible where newly applied blue paint has peeled from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, on June 20, 2026.

Photos appear to show peeling of the “American Flag Blue” paint in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as the National Park Service works to control and remove an algae bloom that turned the water green following the Trump administration’s $16 million repair, resealing and painting project.

A combination of pictures of the renovations of the Reflecting Pool taken May 2, May 28, June 7, June 12, June 16 and June 18, 2026, which was painted blue at the directive of President Donald Trump, ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, DC.

Paint peels from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, DC, on June 18, 2026.

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, DC, June 18, 2026.

Reporters and photographers record a small section of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool newly installed liner measuring about 3x3 feet which was visibly detached and floating with one end still adhered to the pool located at the middle portion of the north side of the reflecting pool on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

Paint peels from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations following a directive from President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, DC, on June 18, 2026.

Seen through algae-laden green water, a tear in the recently applied sealant can be seen on the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. The National Park Service is working to control and remove an algae bloom that has turned the pool green following the Trump Administration's recent $16 million repair, resealing and painting project.

Reporters and photographers record a small section of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool newly installed liner measuring about 3x3 feet which was visibly detached and floating with one end still adhered to the pool located at the middle portion of the north side of the reflecting pool on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

Paint peels from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations following a directive from President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, DC, on June 18, 2026.

Seen through algae-laden green water, a tear in the recently applied sealant can be seen on the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 18, 2026, in Washington, DC. The National Park Service is working to control and remove an algae bloom that has turned the pool green following the Trump Administration's recent $16 million repair, resealing and painting project.

Seen through algae-laden green water, a tear in the recently applied sealant can be seen on the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 18, 2026, in Washington, DC. The National Park Service is working to control and remove an algae bloom that has turned the pool green following the Trump Administration's recent $16 million repair, resealing and painting project.

National Park Service employees and contractors use vacuums to remove green algae from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 18, 2026, in Washington, DC. The NPS is working to control and remove the algae bloom that has turned the pool green following the Trump Administration's recent $14 million repair, resealing and painting project.