- Donald Trump claimed vandals created a "300 yards long" gash in the new liner of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, attributing the return of algae to this damage.
- After the pool was drained, reporters and visitors, including a CNN crew, found no visible evidence of a significant gash or major vandalism, despite Trump's varying descriptions of the alleged cut.
- The Reflecting Pool, which recently underwent a $15 million renovation, has a documented history of issues such as algae blooms, leaky pipes, and cracks.
- Skepticism exists regarding the vandalism claim, with some reports and experts suggesting the algae bloom is more likely due to the pool's inherent ecological factors, such as its shallowness and nutrient content.
- Four individuals have been charged with crimes related to alleged vandalism at the site, but none have been accused of slashing the pool's liner as described by Trump.
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