Politics

Trump Blames Vandals for Damaged Mall Grass

Was the damage near the WWII Memorial caused by vandals or by Trump's own July 4 event?

Published 7 hours ago

Trump Blames Vandals for Damaged Mall Grass

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Above: Grass near the World War II Memorial is seen from the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 10. Image credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

Vandals trashed sacred American ground near the World War II Memorial and the Reflecting Pool, and that's not something to brush aside. The evidence is right there — dead grass, damaged monuments and "86 47" once again etched into the turf, just as President Trump had already called out on Aug. 1. These are disrespectful attacks on American heritage, and locking up the people responsible is the only acceptable response.

Eric Daugherty on X

Gunther Eagleman on X

Anti-Trump narrative

The dead grass near the World War II Memorial sits in the exact spot where Trump's July 4 stage and crowds were set up — and photos prove it was brown and damaged the moment those structures came down. Trump has a habit of blaming vandals for damage tied to his own projects, even after his own officials have pushed back with contrary findings. No evidence of vandalism in that grassy area has been produced.

Robert Graham on X The Associated Press