Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Liner Fades From Blue to Gray

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's newly installed liner, initially described by Donald Trump as "American flag blue," has visibly faded to a grayer shade. An Associated Press reporter and photographer observed the change on Wednesday from the Washington Monument after the pool was drained for maintenance.

The effort to revamp the reflecting pool extended beyond the initial goal of completion by the Fourth of July holiday. Work crews have since removed debris that was visible earlier in the week when the pool was drained. The liner's color shift suggests a significant change from its appearance in early June, when the pool was repainted and refilled with water.

The project aimed to protect the pool's bottom surface with a new coating. However, the current appearance indicates that the "American flag blue" color has not retained its vibrancy. The fenced-off pool remains a point of observation as the maintenance work continues.