The remnants of markings depicting the numbers 8647 are seen near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 18, 2026. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon
Local news reporter Spencer Allan Brooks on Friday posted a photo out of an airplane window looking over the new face of Washington D.C. after President Donald Trump's birthday weekend, complete with algae blooming the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial.
There are 15 days until the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Trump said that he wanted Washington D.C. to be "beautiful" for the birthday. But, as the photo reveals, some of Trump's projects look a little rough.
Once a ceremonial sweep of green near the White House, the "front lawn," or Ellipse, was taken over for Trump's blood sport on his birthday. Critics have argued that these branding campaigns are diminishing the dignity of the White House. But they're also tearing up the actual White House complex.
The aerial photo Brooks shared goes beyond the green Reflecting Pool to show just how bad the damage was to the White House lawn due to the UFC event. The walking paths and stunning grass north of the fountain have given way to a flattened pad of dirt.
UFC's owner claimed that they'd chip in to repair the lawn and Scotts Miracle-Gro pledged $1 million to help restore the grass.
Fox5 in New York reported Scotts is using the funds for both marketing and research.
"The restoration is more complex than a standard landscaping project. Washington D.C.'s climate presents unique challenges, with freezing winters and hot, humid summers," the report explained. Scotts offered up several seed opportunities and said that "physical restoration will roll out in phases over the next year."
"The National Park Service will first disassemble the UFC infrastructure, followed by a previously scheduled public infrastructure project on the grounds," the report said. Scotts intends to start with some "mature sod," and then it will begin the seeding options. It means that the grass will not be fully restored in time for the America 250 events. In fact, it will take more than a year as a result of Trump's birthday fight he called a Flag Day event.
Meanwhile, the grass between the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument was quickly repaired after the number 8647 was carved into it.
Former CBS News reporter Scott MacFarlane remarked, "How much did the UFC event impact the Ellipse? This is quite a photo."
Legendary heckler of white nationalists, Joe Flood, wrote on X, "Trump’s fight club destroyed the Ellipse too."
Over the past year, Trump has made extravagant promises in his effort to remake public space in his own image, sometimes literally, as one D.C. resident complained in a Slate piece. The result remains the same and has served as a metaphor for his presidency, one columnist wrote. The city has been left with less civic grace and more wear and tear as residents absorb the aftershocks.