Kimmel mocks Trump as reflecting pool turns green

Kimmel mocks – Jimmy Kimmel went after President Donald Trump after algae appeared in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following a costly blue renovation. The late-night host tied the green water to Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp,” while the National Park Service ha

For weeks, visitors to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have expected a polished “American Flag Blue.” Instead, they’ve seen green.

On June 16. Jimmy Kimmel stepped into that contrast with a joke that landed like a message: President Donald Trump’s reflecting pool renovation. already wrapped in controversy and public spending. now appears to have produced the very mess it was meant to fix. Kimmel mocked the water’s algae-filled look after the recent renovation. which left the basin painted “American Flag Blue” as part of a broader revamp ahead of America’s 250th.

“The green appearance of the water” became the punchline—and the target—on Kimmel’s show. He said that “experts are saying” when Trump had the pool painted dark blue. “he made the problem worse. ” because “the darker color retains more heat. and algae thrives in warmer water.” Then he pointed to cost and irony: “You know. he promised he would drain the swamp. Instead, he spent 14 million of our dollars building a new one.”.

Kimmel didn’t stop at the algae. He turned to what he called Trump’s next branding move, suggesting the president should “move St. Patrick’s Day to July and claim it’s green on purpose.” He added, “He owns hotels!. If there was one thing he could do, you would think it was keep a pool clean!. He can’t even get that right.”.

The renovation itself traces back to Trump’s plans announced in April. He said he would refurbish the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, citing complaints over its cleanliness and a leaking foundation. The basin was repainted as part of a renovation that was finished in June.

Since then, the National Park Service has sent employees to clear the pool. A Department of the Interior statement—shared with USA TODAY—said. “Versus previous administrations. the National Park Service is actually maintaining the beautifully completed Reflecting Pool.” The statement went further. crediting technology: “The nanobubbler technology has successfully destroyed the algae bloom that has plagued every pool reopening since 1922.” It added that. “Now. due to deploying the advanced nanobubbler technology. the algae is dead and being vacuumed up as we speak. ” and thanked Trump “for fixing the Reflecting Pool for good.”.

Hans Paerl, a research professor of marine and environmental sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, previously warned the timing might not fully cooperate. He told USA TODAY the pool may not appear blue again in time for July 4.

The dispute—between an official account of “advanced nanobubbler technology” and what visitors are actually seeing—has taken on another layer as Trump plans big July events at the same location. Kimmel referenced Trump’s announcement that he will host a rally on July 4 at the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. with what Trump said would include a large fireworks show.

“He’s going to burn down the White House, isn’t he?” Kimmel joked. “He’s going to want all the fireworks, there are going to be too many fireworks. He knocked down one half, he’s going to burn down the other.”

The throughline is stark: a pool renovated for a milestone moment, hit with algae soon after, with officials saying the bloom has been destroyed and employees clearing it—while a researcher questions whether the color will be restored quickly enough for the biggest holiday on the calendar.

For now, the reflecting pool’s fate remains measured less by promises and more by what the water looks like by the time the crowds arrive.

Jimmy Kimmel Donald Trump Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool algae National Park Service Department of the Interior nanobubbler technology American Flag Blue July 4 rally fireworks