TOI correspondent from Washington: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in the US capital was designed to reflect the greatness of America. Instead, it is currently a replica of an expensive middle-school science experiment gone spectacularly wrong.What began as US President Donald Trump’s ambitious $14 million effort to beautify one of the country’s most iconic landmarks ahead of America’s 250th birthday has quickly turned into a farce and a controversy — one that combines chemistry, biology, politics, social media pranks and a federal infrastructure project. The President’s approach was quite straightforward. The historic and often neglected body of water spanning between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument will receive a patriotic makeover with a deep “American Flag Blue” coating intended to create a more dramatic mirror effect. Instead, within days of the makeover, green algae bloomed in the pool, making the restored monument look less like a temple to democracy and more like a resort for amphibians. Social media has naturally responded with the maturity and restraint for which he is famous. One viral post described the pool as “a vast storehouse of guacamole preserved by Abraham Lincoln,” while another suggested renaming it “Lake Maga Verde.” A photoshopped image shows Lincoln staring seriously into green water beneath the caption: “Four points and seven algae blooms.” Another features a giant aquarium filter installed next to the monument, with the slogan: “Make America Chlorinated Again.“The Trump administration’s explanation initially focused on technical factors and unexpected environmental conditions. Critics point to a simple principle routinely taught in science classes: Dark surfaces absorb heat. As one engineer apparently noted online, it appears that this project – at taxpayers’ expense – discovered that the dark coating overheated the water, creating ideal conditions for algae growth. There were allegations that Trump’s friends had obtained the contract for the job without bidding. To deal with the bloom, workers were seen pouring hydrogen peroxide into a seven million gallon basin, creating a second round of entertainment, with comedians swooping down on the nuisance like seagulls at an abandoned beach picnic. Jimmy Kimmel joked that Trump “promised to drain the swamp… instead, he spent $14 million building a new one,” while adding, “He’s got workers in there dumping gallons of hydrogen peroxide — by the way, he dyes his hair that way, too.”Jordan Klepper of The Daily Show offered perhaps the most memorable review, marveling that the pool looked as if “Shrek hosted a convention there.” Just as officials seemed to be getting the algae problem under control, reports emerged that the expensive blue coating was beginning to peel away on its own. Large pieces reportedly floated to the surface like seaweed in a giant bowl of Confederate soup, generating even more jokes. Still, Washington being Washington, a simple maintenance problem quickly turned political. MAGA commentators and conspiracy theorists accused Dems and Libs of sabotaging the project. Others theorized that hostile bureaucrats, environmental regulations, climate activists, rogue germs, or various combinations thereof were somehow responsible. The MAGA boss immediately started the blame game, suggesting a journalist had intentionally removed the coating and posting, “It is a shame that radical leftist maniacs, possibly Dumokats, who have spent their lives trying to ruin our country are free to do so.“Meanwhile, crews deployed an impressive arsenal of corrective measures, from vacuum systems to water treatment to filtration upgrades. Nano-bubblers – devices designed to increase oxygen levels and improve water quality – joined the conversation, sounding less like infrastructure tools and more like characters from a Pixar movie. At various points, the rescue effort began to resemble an episode involving the National Park Service, a pool-maintenance company, and frustrated chemistry teachers. Tourists visiting the National Mall watched this exciting drama enthralled and soon crowds started gathering to watch the show. For President Trump, who has long had a passion for visual spectacle and grand symbolism in the nation’s capital, the Reflecting Pool was to be a dazzling patriotic centerpiece for the semicentennial celebration. Instead, it has become Washington’s most expensive and famous swamp.