Videos circulating online show the blue coating of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool peeling away. These images have sparked considerable discussion about the recent renovation project.
Amidst this, a narrative has emerged on social media attributing the damage to an “Antifa algae attack.” This claim gained traction following a $14 million renovation ordered by President Trump, which repainted the pool in “American Flag Blue” with the aim of deterring algae and improving its appearance.
A widely shared Facebook post from a page called “America’s Last Line of Defense” propagated the idea that an “Antifa algae attack” was responsible for the paint peeling from the $14 million renovation. The post cited “scientists at the scene” and quoted an individual identified as “Dr Joseph Barron, PhD HHr DtF.” This supposed expert claimed that “The algae contained a peptide that eats away at the compound that bonds the paint to the granite. The algae blooms were never the intended result. This was.” The post further alleged that the Parks Department’s attempts to combat the algae with hydrogen peroxide were misguided, describing the situation as a “sophisticated attack” and warning that the entire paint layer might need removal, costing taxpayers millions.
However, an investigation into this claim reveals its origin in satire. The Facebook page “America’s Last Line of Defense” openly states on its profile that it is a satire page. Its introduction reads, “The flagship of the ALLOD network of certified AI-free trollery and propaganda for cash. Nothing on this page is real.” The page’s cover image reinforces this with a disclaimer: “Nothing on this page is Real. America’s Last Line Of Defense (ALLOD) is a satire site along with its sister site America Loves Liberty. It was created by the well-known internet troll Christopher Blair, aka Busta Troll. It was created to monetize content from gullible MAGA and right-wing Facebook users.” The image itself bears a watermark stating, “Nothing on this page is Real.”
There are no credible reports to suggest that Antifa has been involved in damaging the Reflecting Pool with algae. This is not the first time unsubstantiated claims have surfaced regarding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after its extensive renovation. Previously, a fabricated story circulated on social media alleging that two Antifa operatives were apprehended while dumping algae into the pool, also originating from the same satire network.
While algae has indeed been an issue for the Reflecting Pool, experts generally explain that algal blooms are a common occurrence in outdoor water features and do not necessarily indicate sabotage.
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