White House blasts Washington Post's claim Reflecting Pool 'looks almost the same' after Trump renovations

The Washington Post faced backlash, including from the Trump administration, after suggesting that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool "looks almost the same" following President Donald Trump's renovations.

"After Trump's $10 million renovation, the Reflecting Pool is full again — and looks almost the same," The Washington Post wrote alongside an image comparison of the Reflecting Pool in 2022 and 2026 on X Tuesday.

The paper also shared an article from last week on the renovations in an X post that read, "The Reflecting Pool on the National Mall has been refilled following President Trump’s renovations. The project ultimately took six weeks and cost more than $10 million, far more than Trump initially projected."

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The social media post quickly went viral as several social media commentators remarked that images The Washington Post shared already showed differences made by Trump's renovations.

The backlash also extended to Trump's team, which called out the paper for allegedly misleading readers.

"The water was green. Now it's not. Hope this helps," the Trump War Room account posted along with an older image of the Reflecting Pool.

"This successful renovation not only made the Reflecting Pool more beautiful, but it was completed at a fraction of the time and cost of Obama's botched project — AND it finally addressed the leaks that caused millions of gallons of water loss per year. But the Fake News @washingtonpost won't acknowledge that," the White House Rapid Response 47 account wrote.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's communications director, Cody Sargent, commented, "Why is the @washingtonpost so committed to this stupid lie? Here’s an actual before and after from @EarthCam."

Sargent also posted two images of the Reflecting Pool from March 2026 and June 2026.

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Several other commentators and political figures called out the Post for its claim as well.

"Why put this spin on it when it’s obvious that it looks much better? Not exactly helping in the media credibility department," Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., commented.

Podcast host Katie Miller remarked, "The original cost estimate was $300 million way more than the $10 million it cost. President Trump saved the taxpayers $290 million."

"It works. It doesn’t leak. It doesn’t smell like wet dog hair. It doesn’t have algae swirling in it. Go pound sand," Media Research Center President David Bozell commented.

Fox News Digital reached out to The Washington Post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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Trump announced intentions to fix what he called the "absolutely filthy" Reflecting Pool in March with the intention of having it repaired by the time of July 4 celebrations.

Critics have voiced concerns over the pool resurfacing with "industrial-grade" material in the color "American flag blue," with a nonprofit called the Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) going so far as to file a lawsuit against the National Park Service (NPS) to halt the project.

Trump confirmed last week during a White House event that renovations were complete.

source https://www.foxnews.com/media/white-house-blasts-washington-posts-claim-reflecting-pool-looks-almost-same-after-trump-renovations

No hazard found after 'severe' Pentagon alert sparks emergency response

Certain areas in the Pentagon went on lockdown Thursday morning due to an "air quality incident" that was later revealed to be a false alarm. 

An alert, shared with Fox News Digital, carrying a "severe" rating was sent to employees in multiple corridors of the building directing them to shelter in place. All other personnel were told to avoid the area. As of 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time Thursday, the lockdown order was lifted, according to Pentagon officials. 

"Earlier this morning, Pentagon occupants were notified of a potential air quality issue, prompting immediate precautionary safety measures and evaluation. Subsequent testing confirmed no hazard exists, and normal operations have resumed," chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a Thursday statement. 

"We express our sincere appreciation to the first responders for their swift actions to ensure the safety of all personnel," he said. 

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A hazardous materials team scrubbed several locations in the Pentagon's A ring, the center-most location in the building, according to a Pentagon official. 

Approximately 23,000 to 27,000 people work in the Pentagon on any given day. 

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Secretary Pete Hegeth's office and chairman of the joint chiefs Gen. Dan Caine's office are not located in the corridors placed under lockdown. 

Systems detected a problem with the air quality in part of the building and a device picked up a biohazard scent, the Pentagon source told Fox News. 

The Arlington, Virginia, fire department confirmed on X it sent its Hazardous Materials team to support the Pentagon Force Protection Agency’s Hazmat team with the incident.

The last notable Pentagon lockdown was in August 2021, when a Pentagon police officer was killed during a violent incident at the Pentagon Transit Center. 

The Pentagon has spent years developing systems designed to detect and contain airborne threats inside the building. 

Following the Sept. 11 attacks, officials launched the Pentagon Shield program, which uses sensors, computer modeling and building ventilation controls to help identify chemical, biological and radiological hazards and limit their spread through the Pentagon's five-ring structure. 

Building systems can adjust airflow and isolate affected areas while emergency responders assess a potential threat.

Fox News' Liz Friden contributed to this report.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/no-hazard-found-after-severe-pentagon-alert-sparks-emergency-response

'Whalefall' trailer is here to add getting swallowed by a sperm whale while SCUBA diving to your list of fears

The 1975 Steven Spielberg classic "Jaws" famously made several generations of people afraid of the ocean.

Now, in 2026, it looks like the upcoming movie "Whalefall" is here to kickstart a whole new bunch of people who will stick to the sand next time they hit the beach.

The film is based on Daniel Kraus' 2023 book of the same name, and while there's a lot of depth to the story, it's the boiled-down premise that is going to put butts in seats: man gets swallowed by a sperm whale while scuba diving.

I mean, yeah, the Bible already did it, but I'm intrigued.

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And it's hard not to be intrigued by the trailer that 20th Century Studios just put out because it doesn't pull any punches and shows you what everyone wants to see, and that's star Austin Abrams doing his best impression of chum.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

Now, I'm a big sperm whale guy. I think they're so cool. They overcame a name that will make any middle schooler chuckle to become one of nature's most underappreciated badasses.

Moby-Dick? He was a sperm whale, and he drove a one-legged sea captain to the point of madness.

That's awesome.

And you know what's cooler than that? Real sperm whales cruise around in the ocean going to war with giant squid. Why? I really have no idea, but for some reason sperm whales and giant squids are like the Hatfields and McCoys of the ocean.

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But imagine coming face to face with one in the open ocean as you saw in that trailer, and then getting swallowed by it.

That would be the worst. Your fear of the ocean would go away — which is nice — but it would be quickly replaced with claustrophobia, because the inside of a whale isn't exactly roomy.

That's bad.

I think I'm sold. I'll probably be venturing out to see this one — which also stars Josh Brolin — when it comes out Oct. 16.

source https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-culture/whalefall-trailer-add-getting-swallowed-sperm-whale-scuba-diving-list-fears

Idris Elba rejects 'woke' James Bond casting push, warns audiences 'won't go for a Black male' in the role

When it comes to stepping into the role of James Bond, Idris Elba is being "realistic."

In a new interview with British GQ, the 53-year-old actor opened up about the longstanding rumors about him being cast as the next 007 and explained why the audience won't go for a "Black male."

"I’ve always felt that it’s not a realistic thing," he told the outlet. "James Bond was written how he was written for a reason. But I was complimented by it. And also, I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that. Bond is big all over the world. And [audiences] won’t [all] go for a Black male, an African male, playing Bond. That’s not what they like in their culture. Period."

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"Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke," Elba continued. "I think you’ve got to be pure to what it is: escapism. Don’t try and answer the world’s taste. Just be Bond."

This isn't the first time Elba has addressed his possible role in the franchise.

In 2023, Elba brought up the persistent discussions about him taking over as Ian Fleming’s famed British spy while speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai.

"You know, a lot of people talk about another character that begins with ‘J’ and ends with ‘B,’ but I’m not going to be that guy. I’m going to be John Luther. That’s who I am," he said.

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"If we spent half the time not talking about the differences and the similarities between us, the entire planet would have a shift in the way we deal with each other," he also told Esquire U.K. at the time. "As humans, we are obsessed with race. And that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth."

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James Bond was most recently played by Daniel Craig. However, the actor's character died in the last installment of the franchise, "No Time to Die."

Elba responded to backlash over the comments via X.

"There isn't a soul on this earth that can question whether I consider myself a BLACK MAN or not," Elba wrote. 

"Being an 'actor' is a profession, like being an 'architect,' they are not defined by race. However, If YOU define your work by your race, that is your Perogative (sic). Ah lie?"

Last month, Amazon shared an update on the next installment, which will be helmed by director Denis Villeneuve.

"The search for the next James Bond is underway," the post on X reads. "While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right."

source https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/idris-elba-rejects-woke-james-bond-casting-push-warns-audiences-wont-go-black-male-role

Stephen A Smith claims Trump has "no business" attending Knicks game at MSG: "It is selfish and narcissistic"

Last week, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith begged President Donald Trump not to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

"I don't want him there," Smith said. "It has nothing to do with politics, policy, or anything like that. It has everything to do with him disrupting and contributing at the same time to the chaos that's going to exist at Madison Square Garden."

To Smith's chagrin, Trump didn't listen. The president is expected to attend Monday night's game as the Knicks look to take a 3-0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs.

Smith addressed Trump's attendance again on "First Take" Monday morning.

STEPHEN A SMITH BEGS TRUMP NOT TO ATTEND NBA FINALS GAME 3 AT MSG: "I DON'T WANT HIM THERE"

"This president has no business showing up in New York City. I am dead serious. It is selfish. It is narcissistic. It is ridiculous that he is coming to this game," Smith exclaimed.

He then reiterated that his stance has nothing to do with politics.

"I would say the same thing if it were Obama, George W., or Clinton. I don't give a damn if we went back to Reagan."

That's where we disagree.

Smith would not say the same thing if Barack Obama were attending the game. There is plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise. For one, whenever Smith has questioned Black politicians, he has often followed up with a series of apologies.

Last year, he apologized to Kamala Harris and Michelle Obama simply for criticizing Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a fellow Black woman.

"Would Stephen A. have had the same take if Obama had come to an NBA Finals game?" OutKick founder Clay Travis asked on X. "I think there's a 0% chance."

"He's the world's highest-paid buffoon," OutKick host Dan Dakich added.

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Further, Smith has spent the past nine months teasing a potential run for the White House. Are we really supposed to believe that if he became president, a possibility he claims is real, he wouldn't attend NBA Finals games if given the opportunity? Of course not.

And while Trump's attendance will result in heightened security, even NBA Commissioner Adam Silver views it as a positive.

"We're seeing that in New York, and I think President Trump is very much a New Yorker, and I'm thrilled that yet another New Yorker wants to participate in the enthusiasm and the joy around this Knicks team," Silver said last week.

Speaking of people who try to make a major sporting event about themselves, here's Stephen A. Smith ringside at WrestleMania last April:

It's also worth noting that Smith appears to believe he is important enough to influence Trump's decision-making.

These on-air pleas for the president to stay away reek of someone who genuinely believes his opinions should carry that level of weight.

Based on Trump's plans to attend Game 3, they don't.

source https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/stephen-smith-claims-trump-business-attending-knicks-game-msg-selfish-narcissistic

Siren's Curse roller coaster strands riders vertically twice in one weekend at Six Flags Cedar Point

The tallest, fastest and longest tilt roller coaster in North America got stuck twice over the weekend in a vertical position, leaving riders temporarily suspended.

Siren’s Curse, located at Six Flags Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, experienced separate technical delays on Saturday and Sunday, Fox 8 reported.

"On Saturday and Sunday, the coaster experienced technical delays (similar to a check-engine light) that paused its operation," a park spokesperson told WKYC-TV. "Its safety system performed as designed, keeping all guests safe. Following a complete systems check, the ride was restarted and guests continued their ride as normal."

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The park reiterated to Fox 8 that the automated safety system had simply detected a condition that required a pause for inspection.

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After crews completed a systems check following each delay, the attraction was reopened to guests shortly after. Fox News Digital has reached out to Cedar Point for further comment.

Described by the park as a record-breaking attraction, Siren's Curse tilts riders at a 90-degree angle, holding them vertically as the track locks into place before the first drop.

The ride originally opened at Cedar Point in June 2025. On its very first day of operation, it experienced a similar glitch, leaving riders suspended vertically for about 10 minutes, according to local reports.

source https://www.foxnews.com/us/sirens-curse-roller-coaster-strands-riders-vertically-twice-one-weekend-six-flags-cedar-point

You're not getting away with watering your grass with your 'crank' out on Sheriff Grady Judd's watch

Don’t let his hilarious press conferences and viral videos fool you, Sheriff Grady Judd doesn’t play around when it comes to crime. If you break the law, he’s coming after you.

A 79-year-old Florida man is the latest to learn that lesson. According to the sheriff, the man was caught watering his lawn with his hose in one hand and his "crank" in the other.

That’s not going to be permitted whether you live on Sunny Wood Circle, as the elderly man does, or not. To make the situation worse, he allegedly had said "crank" out in view of two teenage girls.

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Gary Golter, the alleged double-fisted grass waterer, was arrested last week and charged with vulgar indecent public nudity and lewd and lascivious exhibition, reports FOX 4.

Here’s Sheriff Judd breaking the arrest and the accusations down as only he can. He said, "I want to point out that this event happened at the suspect’s house on Sunny Wood Circle."

"This is Gary Golter. It was sunny, and he was watering his grass with a hose in his right hand, and he had his crank in his left hand," he continued as he shared a short clip of the incident.

"I don't even know how to say this, but he was doing this in front of 16-year-old and 13-year-old girls, and we don't like it. So, we arrested him."

Again, not on Sheriff Grady Judd’s watch. He’s not going for any sunny wood while watering your yard. He doesn’t want anyone, let alone a couple of teenagers, to have to see that. Nobody does.

You're going to get arrested and have a play-by-play of the incident show up on one of the sheriff's morning briefs. You don't want that. Keep your crank in your pants while you're outside watering the lawn.

source https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-culture/youre-getting-away-watering-grass-crank-sheriff-grady-judds-watch