The renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was announced by former President Donald Trump as a beautification project for the US capital ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. He originally said the work would cost around $1.8 million, but federal records now show the cost has increased to about $13.1 million. The project involves fixing leaks, repairing damage, and painting the pool. The contract was given without open bidding to a company Trump had worked with before. This decision has caused criticism and a lawsuit from a nonprofit group, which says proper laws were not followed and the historic site may be harmed. Officials say the project is moving quickly and is expected to finish before the summer celebrations, but questions remain about the final cost and whether all structural problems will be properly fixed.