Donald J. Trump: “ABC Fake News and its shaky anchor, David Muir, said that the Reflecting Poo…
Trump's Truth – Latest Posts — 2026-07-13 21:53:00 — trumpstruth.org
Trump Attacks ABC News Over Reflecting Pool Coverage, Claims Vandalism the Real Cause
President Donald Trump has sharply criticized ABC News and anchor David Muir, claiming their report on the draining of the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., was misleading and failed to address the true cause of the issue. Trump asserted, “the Reflecting Pool was drained to address Peeling Paint (there is no paint, it was slashed with a knife, or box cutter, high grade colored waterproofing liner – it was VANDALISM!) and Algae Blooms (also caused by Vandals, but removed long ago!). In other words, the story was FAKE NEWS, but heavily slanted away from the real cause of the problem, Vandalism.”
Disputing the Official Explanation
According to Trump, the widely reported reasons for draining the Reflecting Pool—peeling paint and algae blooms—were inaccurate. He insisted there is no paint involved and that the real issue was vandalism, specifically damage to the pool’s waterproofing liner. Trump further claimed that the algae blooms, cited as a maintenance concern, were also the result of vandalism and had already been addressed.
Exaggerated Claims About D.C. Safety and Restoration
Trump went on to tout recent improvements in the nation’s capital, stating, “60 monuments and fountains have been cleaned and fully renovated in D.C., and crime is at record lows! Washington has never looked better, or been safer!” These sweeping statements about crime and city conditions are not supported by the ABC News report he criticized, and Trump provided no evidence for the claim that crime is at “record lows.”
Fact-Checking Trump’s Assertions
Trump’s remarks disparaged both the reporting of ABC News and the integrity of their anchor, labeling the story as “FAKE NEWS” and accusing the network of bias. His statements about the cause of the Reflecting Pool’s maintenance and the state of crime in Washington, D.C., stand in contrast to the explanations provided by officials and reported by ABC News.
Conclusion
President Trump’s response to the Reflecting Pool story highlights his ongoing pattern of attacking media outlets and offering alternative explanations that often lack supporting evidence. His claims about vandalism as the sole cause and record-low crime rates in D.C. are not substantiated by the ABC News report he criticized. As Trump continues to challenge unfavorable coverage, his statements underscore the importance of careful fact-checking and transparency in public discourse.