Trump Threatens Lawsuit Against ABC News Over Reflecting Pool Reporting
President Donald Trump announced plans to sue ABC News, alleging the network failed to report prior expenditures on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool by previous administrations—though he did not provide evidence for his claim of $100 million in prior spending.
Key Details of the Dispute
Trump's Allegations
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that ABC "failed to report" that former Presidents Obama and Biden had spent over $100 million on the reflecting pool. He did not offer supporting evidence for this figure.
Prior Spending Reality
PBS previously reported that the Obama administration spent approximately $35 million on repairs. No major repairs are known to have occurred during the Biden administration.
Vandalism Claims
Trump stated the damage was caused by vandalism, but the White House has not provided evidence of intentional damage. The president told reporters a "350-foot slit" was cut with a sharp object. NBC News reported at least five arrests in connection with the alleged vandalism.
ABC's Reporting and Project Costs
ABC reported last week that the repainting cost rose to more than $14.65 million, exceeding the original no-bid contract estimate by over $4 million.
A separate $1.74 million no-bid contract was awarded to Green Water Solutions for a "nano bubble" system to control algae, bringing the total project cost to over $16 million.
Broader Context: Legal and Regulatory Tensions
Trump referenced the $16 million ABC paid in 2024 to settle a defamation case he filed. He stated the network's money from that lawsuit would go to the U.S. Treasury.
ABC currently faces two FCC investigations led by Trump appointee Brendan Carr, including a demand for early renewal of eight local broadcasting licenses. The network launched an on-air campaign to encourage viewer support after "The View" was investigated under equal time rules.