Science Has a Name for What's Plaguing the Reflecting Pool

[mia]

Donald Trump has a new nemesis, with a name worthy of a supervillain: Scenedesmus.

The Reflecting Pool on the National Mall has become the country’s most high-profile science experiment, with workers battling against nature. After a week of combat, they have essentially killed off one type of algae infesting the pool, only to create the conditions for a new type to take over. And Scenedesmus, a genus of green algae nicknamed “Skinny Dead Mouse” by scientists, is now flourishing, according to testing that was run at the request of The Atlantic....

A spokesperson at the Department of Interior told me “there is ongoing water testing happening,” but would not disclose the results of those tests. Requests to spokespeople at the NPS have gone unanswered. I have been in touch with scientists who have applied for permits to get into the pool and conduct their own tests, but those permits have yet to be granted.

With the lack of transparency from the federal government and no clarity on what’s inside that murky water, I decided to dig—or dip—a little deeper myself. So late on Thursday morning, I filled several water bottles from different areas of the pool. Some were fairly clear, while other samples were dark green. My samples were delivered to two different scientists by that evening....



https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/06/reflecting-pool-algae-scientific-testing-trump/687649/?gift=mqBaPsEpVRsBLIdcgguUwCO1r2C2Lho11cBBAuP2ShQ&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

[Bluestocking]

1. Or you can also call it Karma

[Intractable]

7. Exactly. Trump's karma is that 'everything he touches dies.' Why is this?

It's his arrogance and hubris. He doesn't know how to leave things alone.

He plays Jenga with our government. He pulls pieces out and doesn't care about the consequences.

[SocialDemocrat61]

2. Trumpnosis?

[Historic NY]

3. The water comes in from the Tidal Basin.

All the treatment in the world isn't going to stop nature, you might slow it down, but you AIN"T atopping it. DumBo thinks this is like a swimming pool. I fight nature everyday with a 60 gal. fish tanks. Limiting light, live planting and cycling water and filtering water helps. Algae will still form, it a natural process.

[hunter]

4. The most perverse thing about this is that Trump could have called in experts...

... people who have successfully managed water features like this for decades -- people who've got the education and experience to accomplish it.

Instead he goes with the acquaintance who flatters him and tells him what he wants to hear.

Maybe what Trump wanted was impossible within the time frame he proposed. Maybe people told him that. He went ahead with it anyways.

I imagine the same was true in regards to Iran but with much deadlier consequences.

[Farmer-Rick]

6. He likes experts and science when his life is on the line

Afterall, if not for the 20+ doctors checking up on him and the experimental drugs that we the people don't have access to, he would be dead by now. He's living on borrowed time or top scientific medical time.

So, he uses science to keep his bloated, fast food junkie butt alive then ignores it when it comes to America.

[2naSalit]

9. He also thinks...

He's so special that only he should be able to vote by mail, among other things he thinks only he should be allowed to do.

[twodogsbarking]

5. Is this that thar swamp I've been hearin' bout ?

[Intractable]

8. With all the trouble and expense, even before Trump, is it even necessary to have a reflecting pool?

That's some seriously valuable land that could be put to good use.

[dave99]

10. The area ONLY needs one thing to be removed

[maxsolomon]

11. Taking water from the Reflecting Pool is LEFTIST TERRORISM.

Arrest and indict this reporter now.