Trump Sued Over $13M Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Renovation and Blue Paint Job

The Trump administration has been sued over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s controversial blue paint job and a renovation project that has seen its costs skyrocket to $13.1 million.

The lawsuit, filed by The Cultural Landscape Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving cultural landscapes, was submitted to the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., on Monday. The organization alleges that the Trump administration violated federal law by failing to conduct a required review before repainting the historic pool.

The reflecting pool, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been grey since its construction in 1924. The foundation’s president and CEO, Charles Birnbaum, stated in a press release that the blue paint is “more appropriate to a resort or theme park.”

Renovation Costs Soar Beyond Original Estimates

On the same day as the lawsuit, The New York Times reported that the renovation’s total cost has ballooned to over seven times the original $1.8 million estimate. The U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed that the project will now cost $13.1 million, awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a Virginia-based firm selected by Trump for its prior work on his Sterling, Virginia, golf club’s swimming pools.

No-Bid Contract and Urgency Claims

Last month, the Trump administration awarded Atlantic Industrial Coatings a no-bid contract, citing “serious injury” to the government if the renovation were delayed. However, the administration did not specify the nature of the urgency. Reports also indicate that Trump aims to complete the project before the July 4, 2026 celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday. The contract includes a 20 percent profit margin for the company.

Pattern of Legal Challenges and Aesthetic Changes

This lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal challenges against Trump’s renovations in Washington, D.C. Earlier, he faced lawsuits over plans for a golden arch and a new White House ballroom, both of which critics argue reflect Trump’s personal real estate style rather than historical preservation. With a compliant Congress and Supreme Court, opponents fear Trump’s changes may leave a lasting mark on the nation’s capital.