Trump Has a New Theory for Why Reflecting Pool Is Green

President Trump says the trouble at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool isn't just about naturally occurring algae and peeling paint—it's vandalism. In a Friday Truth Social post, he claimed, without evidence, that "radical" opponents damaged the newly renovated pool and surrounding grass, an apparent reference to a recent incident in which "86 47" was carved into the National Mall lawn, a phrase that critics interpret as a call to oust the 47th president, per the Hill.

Trump said law enforcement is investigating and alleged that chemicals similar to those used on the grass were deployed to harm the pool's freshly installed interior. The president also claimed that the algae is "75% gone" and that "the condition will soon be completely remedied." More on the murky scene:

• Citing satellite data, the Washington Post reports that the water in the pool contained more algae than at any other recorded time in June for at least the past five years. "The algae level was among the highest measured in any month in the past two years," the paper adds.
• Scientists tell NPR they're not shocked over the development, with one professor of aquatic ecology noting that this type of algae is common in the area at this time of year, with the pool's shallow, unmoving waters under zero shade providing optimum conditions for algae to thrive. A swimming pool specialist says the new, darker interior put in place during Trump's renovation may have also contributed, as that darker color would absorb more sunlight.
• Some are worried about one set of visitors in particular: ducks and their babies. Per the Daily Beast, while some experts say that the hydrogen peroxide being dumped into the pool to clear the algae won't seriously impact the birds if it's diluted enough, it's not clear how strong the solution is that's being used. Some observers have claimed online to have seen dead ducks in the water.
• CBS News has details on the no-bid contract awarded to an Ohio company called Green Water Solutions to install a water filtration system in the pool, with the head of that firm said to be John J. Cafaro, a prominent GOP donor with two past convictions—including one for bribing a member of Congress—who's has given money "extensively" to Trump's campaign.
• The lighter side to all of this? The jokes and memes that have been circulating over the green-tinged body of water. BuzzFeed has a bunch.