The chatter is that Antifa dumped algae into the reflecting pool after renovation. There are photos of large chunks of blue plastic liner at have separated from the bottom of the pool. If true, the "residual" algae explanation is incomplete. I have no proof this is true, but the following plastic-digesting algae may be an interesting point of research.

Researchers discover freshwater algae that can 'eat' plastic waste

May 2026

Scientists at the University of Madras in Chennai have discovered a microscopic freshwater alga that can effectively break down some of the most stubborn plastics polluting our waterways. Their research reveals that a specific strain of microalgae called Uronema trentonense can degrade up to 27% of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and 21% of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) over 12 weeks. These are the highly durable plastics commonly used to make milk packets, shampoo bottles, and everyday grocery bags. Driven by the urgent need to address the global crisis of single-use plastic waste accumulating in lakes and rivers, the research team isolated these algae from plastic debris in a local lake and exposed them to common household plastics in a laboratory setting to observe their remarkable plastic-eating abilities.

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When Uronema trentonense attach to the unnatural, water-repelling surface of the plastic, they experience severe environmental stress. In response, they alter their internal cellular metabolism and produce a thick, protective shield of sugars and proteins known as extracellular polymeric substances. At the same time, the algae generate reactive oxygen species, which are highly reactive molecules that cause oxidative damage to the plastic's surface. This effectively weakens the strong chemical bonds of the polymer chains. Once the plastic's outer defence is damaged, the algae release specialised lipase-like enzymes.

These enzymes act like microscopic scissors, cleaving the complex plastic polymers into simpler molecules like fatty acids. The algae then absorb these smaller molecules, essentially digesting the plastic waste and converting it into energy stored as cellular lipids.

https://researchmatters.in/news/researchers-discover-freshwater-algae-can-eat-plastic-waste

>>24737863

Here's the online rumor connected to the reflecting pool algae:

"The Antifa algae attack is now causing the $14 million paint job to peel, according to scientists working at the scene.

"The algae contained a peptide that eats away at the compound that bonds the paint to the granite," explained Dr. Joseph Barron, PhD, HHr, DtF, "The algae blooms were never the intended result. This was."

Dr. Barron said it probably didn't help that the Parks Department used hydrogen peroxide to cure the algae problem.

"They were doing their best to fight the algae without understanding what was going on underneath. This was a sophisticated attack."

The experts believe the entire layer of paint may have to come off.

"These people just cost the taxpayer millions."

NEW: Trump Comments on Vandalism of Reflecting Pool Nukes “Lightweight” Jonathan Karl for “Trying to Rip the Rubber Off of the Surface” (VIDEO)

June 20 2026

“We’ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool, which sits between The Washington Monument and The Lincoln Memorial. Just like three days ago, they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they’ve also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed,” the President said.

“No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall, they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work.”

Trump further slammed “Lightweight” ABC Reporter Jonathan Karl for “sticking his hand into the Pool, and trying to rip the rubber off of the surface.”

In a social media video on Friday, Karl attempted to troll Trump, highlighting the “astounding developments surrounding this project which the President, himself, has taken such a great interest in.”

“You remember $14 million was spent to drain this whole thing and to paint the bottom American flag blue,” Karl said. “As you can see, it’s all green now. They know that. They’re trying to kill the algae, but as they’re doing that, something else has happened,” he added, reaching into the water to grab the rubber sealant and celebrate the likely intentional vandalism. Karl didn’t mention that deranged leftists are actually trying to rip the rubber out.

“That American flag blue, it’s peeling away! The $14 million to redo the bottom of this Reflecting Pool is falling apart before our eyes. The algae is still here, but the paint appears to be going away,” he said gleefully.

Karl, of course, omitted that the $14 million was not just used to repaint the pool. The project was meant to fix and properly seal the pool with crack and leak-proof materials for the expansion joints, which will withstand the years and changing temperatures that come with the seasons. The pool was previously sinking and leaking millions of gallons of water per year into the swamp beneath. But they want people to think it was just an expensive paint job.

Karl further cheered on the algae, which he said is “winning” the battle against National Park Service employees who are cleaning it. “As for the American flag blue paint, it’s starting to peel from the bottom of the pool — a short-lived $14 million paint job,” he wrote.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/06/new-trump-comments-vandalism-reflecting-pool-nukes-lightweight/