Shocker! Government Docs Show Trump's Reflecting Pool Vandalism Claims Are Total BS
Donald Trump’s $16.4 million Reflecting Pool liner is peeling up like a sunburned sophomore on a Cabo spring break, but the president wants the nation to believe it was sabotage.
Trump’s claims that the Reflecting Pool’s issues were caused by a vandal who managed to slash a supposed gash the length of a football field into the pool without being seen by a single tourist or law-enforcement officer is absurd on its face. Despite dozens of reporters, influencers, and thousands of tourists venturing to the Reflecting Pool in the past days to check out the algae-infested, sloughing mess in front of the Lincoln Memorial, not a single person has managed to document evidence of this, nor has Trump or the White House been able to provide any. Now, to no one’s surprise, new documents obtained by The New York Times confirm that the White House’ claims of vandalism causing the Reflecting Pool’s sealant to peel up and water to turn green are what we all knew them to be: bullshit.
The documents, which came from the National Parks Service, show that virtually immediately after the pool was refilled following the installation of Trump’s “American Flag Blue” epoxy lining, issues began to arise. Maintenance workers discovered cuts in the specialized foam that fills expansion joints between the concrete slabs of the pool, peeling caulking, and other holes and cracks. The documents describe the slashes in the foam as two cuts, each approximately 171 feet long. These are perhaps the cuts that Trump is referring to, but the documents obtained by the Times make clear that the issues with the foam are unrelated to the peeling of the coating Trump had installed.
At least six individuals have been arrested for supposedly “vandalizing” the Reflecting Pool and its lining, but all available evidence of the arrests — including videos of several of the detentions — show law enforcement detaining what seem to be mostly curious tourists reaching down to touch the water or the slabs of plastic that are floating to the pool’s surface.
Editor’s picks
The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far
The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
100 Best Movies of the 21st Century
On Truth Social, Trump claimed that the algae bloom had been caused by the illegal addition of chemicals to the water, and wrote that “there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things — Which will be fully enforced!” Trump continued his dayslong posting spree about supposed vandalism on Wednesday. “This is the hard rubber surface — No Paint — Before the vandals cut and pulled it apart!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, along with a picture of the coating. (Again, there is absolutely no evidence that vandals cut the surface of the pool.)
Trending Stories
Watch Alan Jackson’s Final Performance of ‘Chattahoochee’ at Farewell Concert
Bob Dylan Loses Yet Another Guitarist After Bob Britt Abruptly Quits Band
Susan Tedeschi Says Bob Weir Loved to Offer Her Mushrooms
Taylor Swift’s Heartfelt Message to Alan Jackson at His Final Show Draws Mixed Reaction
But while Americans are being arrested for interacting with the fetid water, some of D.C.’s most-beloved residents are losing their lives. At least three ducks, mainstays and permanent residents on the National Mall, have been discovered dead in or around the Reflecting Pool. The deceased ducks are undergoing necropsies as part of an investigation by the Washington, D.C., Department of Energy & Environment to determine if their deaths were related to the algae, chemicals, or plastic mixing into a noxious stew within the Reflecting Pool.
Things have gotten so bad that within weeks of the supposed project’s completion, the pool is being drained again in order to do another round of repairs. Trump has been spending lavishly to theoretically spruce up the nation’s capital in anticipation of the 250th-anniversary celebration, but with an empty pool, ruined lawns in front of the White House, and a massive construction pit where the East Wing used to stand, Trump’s D.C. is looking pretty decrepit.
Erin Brockovich Launches Plan to Take on AI Data Centers Around the Country
Erin Brockovich Launches Plan to Take on AI Data Centers Around the Country
Erin Brockovich, who secured a historic $333 million settlement against PG&E in 1993 and was immortalized by Julia Roberts on the silver screen, has launched a new battle against the proliferation of AI data centers across the United States and beyond.
The Guardian reports that the environmental activist who became a household name after her work on the Hinkley, California, groundwater contamination case has identified what she describes as a threat on par with that scandal, only larger in scope. After receiving thousands of emails from concerned citizens, Brockovich has turned her attention to the rapid construction of massive AI data centers happening with minimal public input or environmental oversight.
The campaign began when Brockovich noticed an unusual pattern in her inbox. She received 30 emails from people in the same town, all expressing concerns about data centers. In April, she issued a public call on her website asking anyone with concerns about data centers near them to contact her. Within a month, 3,862 people responded. Brockovich characterizes the situation as “Hinkley on steroids.”
Using the information gathered from these emails, Brockovich created an open-source map documenting AI data centers across the United States. As of June 24, the map shows 33 AI data centers that are operational, 68 under construction, and 41 proposed. More than 7,000 reports have been submitted through her online form, revealing a pattern of construction happening largely without public knowledge or consent.
AI data centers are enormous in scale. Some stretch over hundreds of acres, and in May, Utah approved a center twice the size of Manhattan. According to Brockovich, many communities learn about these facilities only after construction has already begun, or in some cases, months after they have been approved by local officials.
A major concern for Brockovich is the secrecy surrounding the approval process. Data center developers often enter into nondisclosure agreements with local officials, making it impossible for residents to understand why projects were approved without environmental impact assessments or public input. Brockovich reports receiving emails from people whose local leaders are changing zoning laws to accommodate these facilities. “If data centers are so great, why are they being built in secret?” reads one headline on her Substack blog.
Local governments attempting to pause or halt construction face severe financial consequences. In Hill County, Texas, county commissioners voted on a year-long moratorium after unexpected public outcry. The county was then sued by developers for $100 million in damages and, according to the Texas Tribune, has since backed down from the moratorium.
Beyond concerns about water consumption, residents near operational data centers report significant noise pollution. “It really becomes about the noise, the decibels,” Brockovich says. People describe being driven to distraction by constant humming, hissing, and buzzing from generators operating around the clock. Communities also report increased electricity bills, power surges, and concerns about wildlife disappearing from areas surrounding the data centers.
Brockovich, who turns 66 this month, brings decades of experience to this fight. She was instrumental in the 1993 case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company on behalf of Hinkley, California, residents whose groundwater had been contaminated. Despite having no formal legal training, she helped secure a $333 million settlement, then the largest ever payout for a direct-action lawsuit. The 2000 film starring Julia Roberts immortalized her story.
Since Hinkley, Brockovich has worked on other environmental pollution cases, including additional cases against PG&E related to hexavalent chromium. More recently, she has focused on PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals” that are components in firefighting foam used on US military bases. These chemicals have been linked to fertility issues and some cancers.
Brockovich’s immediate goal is to secure case-by-case moratoriums on data center approvals. She is compiling cases through her open-source mapping site and notes that council responses vary depending on how receptive officials are to local complaints. Many states are only now beginning to consider whether state-level regulation and oversight of data centers is necessary.
She emphasizes that opposition to data centers is bipartisan. Her approach focuses on building lawsuits from the ground up rather than seeking immediate policy change from the top. She advocates for environmental impact reports, transparency about power sources, and town hall meetings where residents can voice their concerns.
“We have to have some courage to show up, and it’s difficult to do that when you’re up against forces that have all the money and all the intelligence and all the bandwidth in the world,” Brockovich says. Despite describing herself as being in her “legacy phase” with six grandchildren, she remains committed to the fight, though she acknowledges she cannot win it alone.
Breitbart News previously reported that AI data center opponents have blocked or delayed projects worth $130 billion so far this year:
At least 75 projects worth about $130 billion have been blocked or delayed from January through March across the country as a result of data center opponents, according to a Data Center Watch study obtained by NBC News.
The authors of the study further noted that this hindering of AI data centers is the most on record in a three-month period since they began tracking the matter in 2023.
“The quarter reflected a structural shift rather than a cyclical spike: communities have internalized an opposition playbook, legislative sessions introduced formal regulatory uncertainty, and the number of active opposition groups more than doubled to 833 across 49 states,” the study read.
Read more at the Guardian here.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of AI, free speech, and online censorship.
‘Toy Story 5’ Stays Dominant No. 1 at U.K. and Ireland Box Office
Disney’s animated powerhouse “Toy Story 5” maintained its absolute stranglehold on the U.K. and Ireland box office during its sophomore frame, dropping a modest 36% to collect a commanding £9.1 million ($12.1 million).
The Pixar title has re-energized the summer marketplace, cumulative receipts rocketing to an exceptional $38.3 million after just 10 days in theaters.
Warner Bros. captured the runner-up spot with the wide-circuit launch of “Supergirl.” Landing in over 300 locations, the DC Universe film generated an opening weekend of $3.6 million.
Related Stories
From Ariana Grande to Connor Storrie: Which 'SNL' Hosts Were Submitted for Emmys and Who Was Snubbed?
Katherine LaNasa Learned Her 'The Pitt' Accent in the Bathtub: 'It Was a Hard Accent to Learn'
Universal’s sci-fi thriller “Disclosure Day” was in third place in its third weekend of release. The Steven Spielberg-helmed film added $1.1 million, pushing its cumulative U.K. and Ireland box office total to $14.2 million.
Popular on Variety
Paramount secured a top-four presence with its wide comedy debut “Jackass: Best and Last,” which banked an opening frame of $1 million. Close behind at No. 5, Universal’s resilient horror-romance “Obsession” pocketed $772,492 in its seventh frame. The genre hit has now amassed a total of $21.8 million.
Paramount’s horror parody reboot “Scary Movie” placed sixth in its fourth weekend, pulling in $295,675 to lift its cume to $11.7 million. Anime Ltd captured seventh place with anime feature “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity,” yielding an opening weekend of $278,263.
A24’s psychological viral horror “Backrooms” occupied the eighth slot in its fifth weekend, taking $259,334 for a running total of $16.2 million. Picturehouse Entertainment’s event cinema rollout of the National Theatre presentation “Les Liaisons Dangereuses – NT Live 2026” captured ninth place, pulling in $215,230 over the weekend to push its total to $843,437. Rounding out the top 10, Universal’s biographical musical drama “Michael” collected $182,242 in its 10th week of release, elevating its lifetime total to $69.6 million.
Looking ahead to the upcoming theatrical frame, Universal leads the mid-week push on Wednesday, July 1, with Pierre Coffin’s highly anticipated animation “Minions & Monsters,” launching wide into over 300 locations. On Friday, July 3, wide-circuit choices expand with Olivia Wilde’s starry comedy-drama “The Invite,” from Black Bear, rolling out via a 300+ screen saturation footprint with a cast led by Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton.
Specialized and repertory alternatives hitting screens on July 3 include a 100+ location rollout of Martin Scorsese’s classic “Taxi Driver” for its 50th Anniversary reissue by Park Circus. Yash Raj Films launches “Alpha,” the latest installment of its spy universe franchise, headlined by Alia Bhatt. The specialized slate also includes Tull Stories’ “Oh My Goodness!” across a limited footprint of under 25 screens, alongside rollouts for Curzon’s “My Father’s Island,” Dogwoof’s “Birds Of War,” Mubi’s “Self-Criticism of a Bourgeois Dog,” and “Phantoms of July” and Vertigo’s “Nirvanna: The Band – The Show – The Movie,” while Zee Studios International debuts the action-fantasy “Nagabandham – The Secret Treasure.”
Jump to Comments-
‘You Mastered the Guttural Sob’: Claire Danes and Richard Gadd on Body Transformations, Acting Nerves and Moving Past ‘Baby Reindeer’
-
Bowen Yang Tells Rachel Sennott About Delaying ‘SNL’ Exit After a Surprise Lorne Michaels Phone Call as the Duo Discuss Their Comedy Starts, ‘I Love L.A.’ and More
-
Colman Domingo Tells Sarah Pidgeon He Wishes ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 ‘All Came Out at Once’ as They Unpack Ali and Rue, ‘Love Story’ Fashion and More
-
‘I’m the Craziest Bitch You Ever Met’: Sharon Stone and Keke Palmer on Why ‘Euphoria’ Should Be Shown in High Schools, Men’s Rights and AI’s Lack of Originality
-
Kit Harington and Peter Dinklage Reunite for the First Time Since ‘Game of Thrones’ Ended to Discuss Nude Scenes, Sobriety and Life After Westeros: ‘Let’s Embarrass the F— Out of Each Other’
-
Bryan Cranston and Rhea Seehorn on ‘Pluribus’ Twists, Landing ‘Breaking Bad’ Right After ‘Malcom in the Middle’ and Playing Catherine O’Hara’s Husband Three Times
‘Trainspotting’ Marks 30th Anniversary at Edinburgh Film Festival With Cast Reunion – Global Bulletin
CHOOSE CINEMA
The Edinburgh International Film Festival will mark the 30th anniversary of Danny Boyle‘s “Trainspotting” with a screening featuring live commentary from cast and crew, followed by a club night with DJ sets from Irvine Welsh and Darren Emerson at Leith’s historic Leith Theatre on Aug. 14. The event takes place during EIFF’s 79th edition, running Aug. 13-19.
“Trainspotting” producer Andrew Macdonald called the homecoming “a very special night,” while EIFF CEO and festival director Paul Ridd said the chance to finally honor “the most iconic Scottish film ever made” in the neighborhood where it originated would make for “a night for the ages.” Following its EIFF premiere, the film will be re-released by Park Circus in U.K. and Ireland cinemas starting Aug. 21, before rolling out internationally.
Related Stories
Liza Colón-Zayas and Jeff Hiller to Announce Emmy Nominations
Katherine LaNasa Learned Her 'The Pitt' Accent in the Bathtub: 'It Was a Hard Accent to Learn'
THAI TRANSPLANT
CJ ENM Hong Kong has licensed a package of six Thai drama series adapted from Korean originals to India’s Amazon MX Player, with the full slate launching July 2. Produced by True CJ Creations, the package includes “Dear My Secretary,” “Good Doctor,” “23:23,” “Start-Up,” “Happiness” and “Thank You Teacher,” spanning romance, drama, thriller and sci-fi genres.
Popular on Variety
All six series will stream in Hindi-dubbed versions with English subtitles on Amazon MX Player’s ad-supported service, and will also be accessible via the Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, JioTV and Airtel Xstream. CJ ENM Hong Kong framed the deal as part of a broader push into format adaptation and cross-border collaboration as demand for Korean IP and Southeast Asian content grows internationally.
GOTHIC GATHERING
Full casting has been set for the U.K. premiere of “Jane Eyre,” a musical by John Caird and Paul Gordon based on Charlotte Brontë‘s novel, running at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from Aug. 28-Oct. 24. Previously announced leads Charlie Burn and Ashley Gilmour will play Jane and Rochester, joined by Claire Greenway, Melad Hamidi, Connor Wood, Jonathan Andrew Hume, Izzi Levine, Hannah Lindsey, Isabelle Methven, Gemma Page, Eve Shanu-Wilson, Poppy Jason and Emily-Rose Samuel.
The production will be co-directed by John Caird, who previously co-directed the original “Les Misérables” and most recently directed the stage adaptation of “Spirited Away” at the London Coliseum, alongside Broadway’s Megan McGinnis. The five-time Tony-nominated musical, which premiered in Toronto in 1996 before transferring to Broadway in 2000, marks its 30th anniversary with the U.K. staging, produced by Adam Blanshay Productions in partnership with original Canadian producers David and Hannah Mirvish.
CHILDREN’S CHORUS
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has set full casting for a 10th anniversary production of Lucy Kirkwood’s “The Children,” directed by the venue’s artistic director, Rachel O’Riordan, running Sept. 2-Oct. 3. Previously announced lead Meera Syal will play Hazel, joined by Declan Conlon as Robin and Kerry Fox as Rose, marking Fox’s first appearance at the Lyric Hammersmith.
O’Riordan said she was “thrilled to have both Meera Syal and Declan Conlon returning to the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre as well as welcoming the amazing Kerry Fox for the first time.” The play follows Hazel and Robin, who live on the edge of a radiation exclusion zone after surviving a catastrophe, as their routine is disrupted by old friend Rose, who arrives bearing buried secrets and a proposition that tests their loyalties.
Jump to Comments-
‘I Was Angry’ Over ‘Hunger Games’ Fame: Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Banks on Learning to Love the Franchise, Hopes for ‘I Love L.A.’ and More
-
Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn on ‘Scandal’ Fans Telling Them to Run for President and Why Fitz and Olivia Are Still Together — and in Couples Therapy
-
Paul Anthony Kelly and Patrick Ball on Surviving ‘The Pitt’ Panic Attacks, Going Left-Handed to Become JFK Jr. and Playing Emotional TV Heartthrobs
-
‘I’m the Craziest Bitch You Ever Met’: Sharon Stone and Keke Palmer on Why ‘Euphoria’ Should Be Shown in High Schools, Men’s Rights and AI’s Lack of Originality
-
Bryan Cranston and Rhea Seehorn on ‘Pluribus’ Twists, Landing ‘Breaking Bad’ Right After ‘Malcom in the Middle’ and Playing Catherine O’Hara’s Husband Three Times
-
‘We’re Sisters From Another Mother’: Jamie Lee Curtis and Mariska Hargitay on Their Deep Hollywood Bond and ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Finally Being Run by a Woman After 26 Years
