Trump Posts AI Image of Reflecting Pool with Green Algae-Colored Face

Donald Trump's obsession with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool resurfaced at 11:32 p.m. on Thursday, when he posted an AI-generated image of it on Truth Social.

The image depicted the pool in bright blue water, but featured an outline of his own face in bright green, a color similar to the Scenedesmus algae that invaded the pool. Trump had ordered the relining of the pool with an "American flag blue" material, which soon peeled off, leading to green algae blooms and requiring the pool to be drained again.

The $14 million renovation, awarded via a no-bid deal to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, faced setbacks when sheets of the new liner were left floating in the water. The administration initially claimed vandalism and pressed charges against several individuals, including former Olympic canoeist David Hearn. However, U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro, later dropped the charges, stating the damage was the result of flawed installation by the contractor.

Trump expressed fury with Pirro, saying he disagreed 100 percent, that she folded like a cheap umbrella, and choked. A court filing by Pirro's office on Tuesday night left open the possibility of re-prosecuting Hearn, stating that "Should the case be re-presented to a grand jury based on newly discovered evidence, any re-indictment of the case would not constitute harassment." Trump ordered the pool drained for repairs after the project faced a series of setbacks.