White House lashes out at former CNN reporter over Reflecting Pool report

Politics
26 Jun 2026 • 4:42 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

White House lashes out at former CNN reporter over Reflecting Pool report

  • The White House criticized former CNN reporter Jim Acosta for a spoof report investigating claims by President Donald Trump about a "slit" in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
  • Acosta's report, which found no evidence of damage, led the official White House Rapid Response account to label him "truly one of the dumbest individuals to have ever existed."
  • The Reflecting Pool's makeover, initiated by Trump, saw its estimated cost surge from $2 million to over $16 million, with issues arising after refilling, including peeling sealant and toxic green algae.
  • Trump attributed the pool's problems to saboteurs, claiming a box cutter was used and fertilizer dumped, leading to the arrest of six individuals identified by the White House as Democrat donors.
  • Work has begun to resurface the pool and remove algae, with dead ducks reportedly found nearby, while lawmakers on Capitol Hill are demanding answers regarding the project's mismanagement.

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