President Donald Trump has ordered urgent repairs to the reflective pool on the National Mall in Washington DC, blaming an algae outbreak for what he called a “disgusting mess”. The pond, which mirrors the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, has turned a murky green, leaving tourists and officials alike unimpressed. The White House confirmed that the president issued the directive after his morning walk, stating that the pool “should be sparkling, not slimy”.
The National Park Service has now been instructed to drain and clean the water feature immediately, with costs estimated at over £3 million. Critics have slammed the move as a vanity project, pointing to crumbling infrastructure elsewhere. “This is a seven-figure sum that could have built affordable homes or funded youth clubs,” said one local union leader.
But supporters argue that the mall is a symbol of national pride and must be maintained. The repair work is expected to begin this week, with the pool scheduled to reopen in time for the summer tourist season.