President Donald Trump has ordered the National Park Service to change the color of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., to pink, according to a White House official. The directive, issued on May 15, 2026, has sparked controversy among historians and preservationists who argue the pool's traditional appearance is integral to the memorial's historical significance.
The reflecting pool, completed in 1923, is a key feature of the National Mall and has been the site of numerous historic events, including Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech in 1963. The National Park Service has not yet commented on the feasibility or cost of the color change, which would require dyeing the water or altering the pool's lining.
Critics, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, have called the plan 'a disrespectful alteration of a national landmark.' Supporters of the president argue the change would make the pool more visually striking and attract tourists. The White House has not provided a timeline for the project.
