Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

The newly drained Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's bottom surface has noticeably faded since it was lined with a protective coating in a color President Donald Trump called “American flag blue” this spring.

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National story. 26 articles from 23 sources. 22 are on the bar; 1 is an international, entertainment or tech outlet, listed separately. Updated Jul 16, 2026.

Part of Trump's Reflecting Pool makeover and the vandalism case against a former Olympian

How each side is putting it

Left

6 sources
JezebelLeft· Jul 16, 2026

The “American Flag Blue” Reflecting Pool Is Now ... Confederate Gray?

Ran by 17 outlets across the spectrum· Kokomo Tribune, Seattle Times, +2 more
Kokomo TribuneLean Left· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump's 'American flag blue' liner is now closer to gray

Seattle TimesLean Left· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

Philadelphia InquirerLean Left· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump's 'American flag blue' liner is now closer to gray

Bangor Daily NewsLean Left· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

The New RepublicLeft· Jul 14, 2026

It Sure Looks Like Trump Was the One Who Damaged Reflecting Pool

Center

10 sources
Ran by 17 outlets across the spectrum· The Columbian, KGW Portland, +5 more
The ColumbianCenter· Jul 16, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

KGW PortlandCenter· Jul 16, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump's 'American flag blue' liner is now closer to gray

WHEC RochesterCenter· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

WTOP Washington DCCenter· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

WTOP Washington DCCenter· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

WFMZ AllentownCenter· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump's 'American flag blue' liner is now closer to gray

WDIO DuluthCenter· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

The RepublicCenter· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

The HillCenter· Jul 16, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool shows liner more gray than blue

Ran by 3 outlets· NBC New York, NBC4 Washington, +1 more
NBC New YorkLean Left· Jul 16, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool shows Trump's ‘American flag blue' liner now closer to gray

NBC4 WashingtonLean Left· Jul 16, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool shows Trump's ‘American flag blue' liner now closer to gray

NBC 5 Dallas-Fort WorthLean Left· Jul 16, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool shows Trump's ‘American flag blue' liner now closer to gray

WMURCenter· Jul 16, 2026

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool looks gray after Trump’s 'American flag blue' revamp in Washington

Right

6 sources
TribliveLean Right· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner now closer to gray

Ran by 17 outlets across the spectrum· Jonesboro Sun, Washington Times, +3 more
Jonesboro SunLean Right· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump's 'American flag blue' liner is now closer to gray

Washington TimesLean Right· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump's 'American flag blue' liner is now closer to gray

Winchester StarLean Right· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump's 'American flag blue' liner is now closer to gray

Green Field ReporterLean Right· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

Daily JournalLean Right· Jul 15, 2026

Drained Reflecting Pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

Other outlets

International, entertainment and tech outlets, by their rating. Not counted in the bar above. How we count coverage

Left

1 article
The GuardianLean Left· Jul 15, 2026· ran in 17 outlets

Drained reflecting pool reveals Trump’s ‘American flag blue’ liner is now closer to gray

Center

0 articles

None

Right

0 articles

None

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