Trump admits lying about Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool vandalism claim, continues to push it

President Donald Trump has admitted he lied about having proof of alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool—while still refusing to abandon his claims.

In a post on Truth Social Sunday evening, Trump claimed that a National Park Service career employee—"a highly credible witness"—watched former U.S. Olympian David Hearn "'violently' ripping and tugging at the Pool's somewhat delicate coating."

"There was substantial other damage to the Reflecting Pool, also but, unfortunately, there is no video or proof, other than the damage, itself," Trump wrote.

"Security cameras have been, and are being, installed," he added.

Trump included an excerpt from the government's initial criminal complaint—a claim that was walked back in a later filing. The government admitted that its witness "could not identify any additional cost caused by Mr. Hearn's alleged conduct. Indeed, the witness did not even say or suggest that the alleged conduct had compromised the liner at all."

A week ago, Trump claimed during a press conference that the government possessed photographic and video evidence proving that multiple individuals had vandalized the Reflecting Pool. Shortly after, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro hauled a crate of evidence to the Oval Office to explain to the president why that wasn't actually true. The Department of Justice had previously been forced to admit that damage to the Reflecting Pool was caused by the contractor's "flawed" installation of the pool lining, not vandals.

Still, the next day, the president ranted to the press about a supposed "tape" and one or two witnesses who could confirm his narrative.

Trump's latest post indicates that some of the truth may have gotten through to him—but it was too little, too late. A judge officially tossed the felony charges against Hearn on Thursday.

This week, Representative Jamie Raskin—the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee—will formally demand that the Justice and Interior Departments turn over a wealth of documents related to the charging decisions made in this case.

Read more: Trump's Reflecting Pool Fiasco Is About to Get Even Worse for Him

Trump May Be Willing to End Iran War Without a Nuclear Deal

President Donald Trump may be willing to end the Iran war without a nuclear deal.

The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that the president floated declaring victory in the war if Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz without a deal on the country's nuclear program. But that seems increasingly unlikely, with Iran now demanding that U.S. soldiers leave the area, as well as an end to the American blockade and billions of dollars in payment.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to escalate the war with more intense bombing of Iranian targets, but he hasn't followed through, claiming that a deal is imminent. In reality, America's allies in the Middle East urged Trump not to ramp up bombing, and U.S. commanders have told him that missile and bomb stockpiles have dwindled.

Iran's stronger conditions for a deal signal it is digging in and willing to wait out Trump for a more favorable agreement, knowing that he has few options. Iran has proven that throttling maritime traffic through the strait is an effective way to secure leverage, causing gas prices to skyrocket worldwide and badly hurting the global economy.

The longer the war drags on, causing the U.S. economy to suffer in the process, the worse it looks for the president and the Republican Party ahead of November's midterm elections. Trump is desperate to end the war, but has backed himself into a corner.