Trump admin renovations damage National Mall fountain, Lincoln Memorial pool lining fails

Trump's Construction Projects Damage Another National Monument

A fountain in the German-American Friendship Garden on the National Mall has been severely damaged after a contractor vehicle drove over it, Newsweek reported Thursday.

The center of the fountain has collapsed into the ground, and surrounding stones were severely cracked, according to recent photographs captured by photojournalist Andrew Leyden. Repairs are reportedly underway.

This incident is the latest in a series of renovation mishaps under President Donald Trump's sweeping construction projects around Washington, D.C.

Reflecting Pool Renovations Plagued by Problems

Just a few hundred yards from the damaged fountain, renovations on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have faced significant issues. Shortly after construction was completed, large sections of the pool's new blue lining began to peel off. Experts have suggested the peeling resulted from shoddy application—not vandalism, as administration officials have claimed.

Key facts about the Reflecting Pool situation:

• Renovations have already cost taxpayers more than $16 million
• The monument has been left drained
• It remains surrounded by chain-link fences
• It is under strict surveillance

Lincoln Memorial Undercroft Renovations Also Falter

A short walk away, the $69 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft has encountered difficulties. The National Parks Service has struggled to maintain safe conditions for displaying historical documents, leading to their removal from the new exhibit last week.

Read more: Trump's Handpicked Company Screwed Up Reflecting Pool Reno From Start

New Senator Darline Graham Faces Questions Over Abortion Stance

Newly appointed Senator Darline Graham, filling the seat of her recently deceased brother Lindsey, has only one political donation on record—and it was to a South Carolina state senator who helped block an abortion ban.

The Daily Beast reported Tuesday that Graham donated $100 in 2020 to state Senator Katrina Shealy, who is known for filibustering the state's near-total abortion ban in 2023. Shealy was part of South Carolina's "sister senators"—a group of five female state lawmakers (two Republicans, a Democrat, and an independent) who staunchly opposed the ban. Shealy lost her primary the following year, largely due to this vote.

Graham's Response

Graham attempted to downplay the news, writing in a statement on X Wednesday that she believes in "protecting the sanctity of human life at every stage."

"For years, I've committed my life to fighting for vulnerable populations, and no one is more vulnerable than an unborn child who cannot speak for themselves," she wrote. "As a mother, I know that welcoming children into this world is God's greatest gift. I'm proud to be pro-life and to stand up for the unborn and expecting moms. I will not waver in my support for life, pregnant women, and families."

Conservative Backlash

The MAGA-verse appears skeptical of her claims.

"Darline Graham Nordone is good friends with Katrina Shealy, the disgraced former South Carolina state senator who is PRO-ABORTION and OPPOSED the Heartbeat bill," one conservative X account commented. "Darline even donated money to her campaign."

Another user wrote: "I'm going to ask @LIFEforSC to not consider her for the coveted..."