The contractor hired to renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has blamed errors in the repair work for the failure of the pool’s new blue liner, according to a report reviewed by The New York Times.

Atlantic Industrial Coatings said that mistakes during installation led to sections of the liner peeling and blistering. It pointed to inadequate application of primer in some areas and said two materials used for the liner were not compatible, the documents reviewed by the newspaper showed.

Findings Cited On Liner Peeling

Atlantic Industrial Coatings said one of the materials became too hot for the layer beneath it during installation. The company said that overheating caused parts of the liner to bubble, then loosen.

The report described the problems as the result of an oversight during the repair rather than damage from outside forces.

Work Continues Under Warranty

Atlantic is now repairing the pool, which remains drained while the work is carried out. The company said the repairs are covered under warranty.

The liner failure and subsequent dispute emerged months after the Trump administration awarded Atlantic a $14.7 million no-bid contract to renovate the pool ahead of July 4 celebrations marking the country’s 250th anniversary.

Vandalism Claims Versus Installation Errors

The contractor’s account contrasts with claims made by President Donald Trump, who repeatedly blamed vandals for damage to the liner. Trump has said people used knives or other sharp objects to cut the liner.

Federal prosecutors initially brought vandalism charges against Olympic canoeist David Hearn and others accused of damaging the liner. The Department of Justice (DOJ) dropped the cases in July after documents showed the damage occurred during installation.

In acknowledging that some contractor error had played a role, Trump also maintained that vandalism had occurred.

Damage Found Elsewhere, Company Says

Atlantic Industrial Coatings did find cuts to caulking around the edge of the pool that the company attributed to vandalism, The Times reported. However, it said it did not connect those edge cuts to the peeling and blistering of the liner covering the bottom of the pool.

The contractor’s report therefore distinguishes between damage at the pool’s edge and the broader liner failure, which it attributes to problems with materials and workmanship during the renovation.

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12 September 2026

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Has anyone noticed DT doesn't mention The Reflecting Swamp anymore?

Man, are those guys AIC guys going to face an insult barrage!

"Are people still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?"

"Are people still talking about the pool?"

Speaking from his hospital bed, where he is being treated for injuries sustained from falling on his sword, the contractor from Atlantic Industrial Coatings said...

Pool Contractor Blames Installation Errors, Not Vandals

Yeah, we messed up the original job. It wasn't "vandals." But we don't care. The US Government will pay us to do it over again. We can eventually turn this into a $100,000,000 dollar piece of substandard work. The President is happy to pay us and then blame the public for the shoddy work.

Apparently the outcome was not assisted by a Trump motorcade driving over the surface.

Apparently the outcome was not assisted by a Trump motorcade driving over the surface.

3 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Video capture of the crime?

Edited 30 minutes ago30 min by bendejo

1 minute ago, bendejo said:

Apparently the outcome was not assisted by a Trump motorcade driving over the surface.

Video capture of the crime?

I don't know if it was a crime. However, any polymer chemist will tell you disturbing a coating while it is curing will degrade its adhesion and longevity.