Former President Joe Biden made a rare public appearance over the weekend, using part of his speech to criticize President Donald Trump over the controversial renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.
The remarks marked one of Biden’s most direct public attacks on Trump since leaving office in early 2025.
Biden Returns to the Public Stage
Since departing the White House, Biden has largely remained out of the political spotlight, making only occasional public appearances.
However, during a speech at a Democratic Party fundraising event on Saturday, the former president sharply criticized his successor, accusing the Trump administration of mismanaging public projects and engaging in what he described as unprecedented levels of corruption.
While discussing recent changes to Washington landmarks, Biden mocked Trump’s handling of the Reflecting Pool restoration.
“He even hired his own pool guy to fix the Reflecting Pool,” Biden joked before adding, “What a loser.”
The comments drew laughter from attendees at the event.
Reflecting Pool Renovation Faces Problems
The restoration project, which reportedly cost more than $14 million, included draining the iconic Reflecting Pool, resurfacing it, and repainting the basin.
Shortly after the work was completed, however, reports emerged that the new coating had begun peeling away. At the same time, algae growth reportedly caused sections of the water to turn green, leading to criticism of the project’s outcome.
The Reflecting Pool, located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, is one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks and attracts millions of visitors each year.
Trump Blamed Vandalism
President Trump has rejected suggestions that the renovation itself was responsible for the problems.
Instead, he has repeatedly claimed that vandals deliberately damaged the newly restored pool.
In previous statements and posts on Truth Social, Trump alleged that unknown individuals poured chemicals into the water and intentionally cut the pool’s protective lining.
He warned that anyone found responsible for damaging federal monuments or memorials could face prison sentences of up to ten years.
To date, no publicly released evidence has been presented to support those specific allegations.
Claims About Damage
Speaking with reporters last week, Trump said the Reflecting Pool had suffered what he described as a long cut in its liner, which he claimed had been made using a knife or similar tool.
During earlier comments, he had estimated the damage at roughly 250 feet before later saying it extended approximately 350 feet.
Federal authorities have not publicly confirmed the cause of the reported damage.
Biden Focuses on Political Criticism
Although Biden’s appearance marked one of his most significant speeches since leaving office, he largely focused on criticizing Trump’s leadership rather than discussing his own future or personal matters.
The former president, who was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer last year, did not address his health during the roughly ten-minute speech.
Instead, he concentrated on political issues and his concerns about the direction of the country under the current administration.
Debate Continues
The Reflecting Pool controversy has become another point of political disagreement between the two longtime rivals.
Supporters of the renovation argue that preserving historic landmarks is important, while critics have questioned both the project’s cost and the reported issues that followed its completion.
As investigations and repairs continue, the restoration remains the subject of public discussion, with both political leaders using the project to reinforce broader arguments about government management and accountability.
