Trump Showcases Renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool with Skyscraper Comparison
Trump's Unconventional Presentation
During an unexpected executive order signing in the Oval Office on Wednesday, President Donald Trump caught reporters off guard by revealing a chart that compared the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's length to several iconic skyscrapers in the United States. This marked Trump's first public appearance in a week, coinciding with ongoing tensions related to ceasefire discussions with Iran.
Standing next to the president, the chart illustrated the 2,030-foot-long Reflecting Pool alongside notable structures such as Chicago's Sears Tower, New York City's Empire State Building, and One World Trade Center.
Mogged. pic.twitter.com/4d2GaKOnEx
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 3, 2026
The graphic, which Trump had previously shared on social media, bore the title: "Our Pool Is Bigger Than Skyscrapers." Emphasizing the project's scale, Trump remarked, "If you lay it on its side, you take two or three of them to fill it in. The width is almost 200 feet wide. It's going to be really special." Earlier that day, he announced that the final protective seal was being applied to the Reflecting Pool as part of its renovation, with water expected to flow again soon, allowing visitors to return.
Later in the Oval Office, Trump expressed his pride in the renovation while humorously addressing potential construction problems. "I'm very proud of it. Maybe I shouldn't say that before it opens," he joked. "Maybe it'll open, and it'll leak like a sieve, but it's not going to do. I'm very good at building things and constructing things, so I hope you go take a look at it." The renovation has been estimated at $6.9 million, although there has been criticism regarding the total expenses. Reports indicated that Atlantic Industrial Coatings, the contractor for the renovations, ultimately received $13.1 million from the federal government for the project.
The Reflecting Pool, situated on the National Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, is anticipated to be refilled and reopened to the public once the renovation is finalized.