Trump Awards $6.9 M No‑Bid Contract to Firm Linked to His Golf Course for Lincoln Pool

The White House announced on April 3 that Atlantic Industrial Coatings of New Canton, Virginia, will overhaul the 2,000‑foot reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The company has never held a federal contract, and its owners declined comment on the award. The contract was granted using a federal exemption that bypasses competitive bidding, a provision meant for emergencies or urgent government needs.

Trump praised the upcoming work, promising a “beautiful, beautiful reflecting pool, the way it’s supposed to be, much better than it ever was.” He suggested a turquoise hue before settling on an “American‑flag blue” finish recommended by the contractor. The president also hinted that a personal contact with pool‑renovation expertise helped secure the deal.

The reflecting pool, built in 1922, holds about 6.75 million gallons of water and loses roughly 16 million gallons each year through leaks. Taxpayer money funds the annual replacement of the lost water. Past administrations have struggled with chronic algae growth; Obama’s team spent over $35 million on mitigation, while Biden’s administration opted to drain and refill the pool yearly. Experts warn that painting the surface will not address the underlying filtration problems that cause the water to turn green.

Critics label the project a “secretive” use of presidential influence to reward friends and business associates. Environmental watchdog Tim Whitehouse called the arrangement a bypass of public scrutiny. Aquatic Council chair Tim Auerhahn warned that without a proper inspection of the filtration system, the new paint may quickly become obscured by algae, and recent motorcade visits could have worsened existing leaks.

The contract’s timing aligns with Trump’s broader push to revamp Washington landmarks ahead of the United States’ 250th‑anniversary celebrations. Projects include a proposed White House ballroom and a “freedom arch” intended to rival Paris’s Arc de Triomphe. The reflecting pool renovation is part of a larger narrative of rapid, high‑profile construction under the current administration.

What to watch next: Oversight committees are expected to review the contract’s exemption use, and the National Park Service will release details on the pool’s filtration upgrades as the project progresses.