Tim Walz’s jab at Trump over Reflecting Pool draws fraud scandal backlash: 'Sit this one out'

Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s viral jab at President Donald Trump over the troubled Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool cleanup drew swift blowback from critics online, who pointed to the massive fraud scandal that unfolded in Minnesota under Walz’s watch.

"Found an imaginary problem, said only they could fix it, didn’t listen to experts, hired buddies who grifted millions, failed miserably, bragged how great it went," Walz wrote on Friday in a post on X with over 3.5 million views. "The entire Trump presidency in a nutshell."

Walz was reacting to a news report about the issues the Trump administration has had cleaning up the historic reflecting pool next to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., which has recently become fodder for Democrats in response to peeling paint and algae growth just weeks after a $14.8 million restoration project was completed. 

Walz’s post, which was received well by some of his supporters, was widely criticized by conservatives, who suggested that Walz’s inability to stop the scammers involved in the massive fraud scandal that unfolded under his watch makes his opinion on the Reflecting Pool less convincing.

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"I'm sorry, TIM WALZ is accusing someone else of enabling grifting?" journalist Mark Hemingway posted on X.

"From the dude who gave us all those ‘Learing Centers,’" Fox Business senior correspondent Charles Gasparino posted on X.

"Tim Walz: Are you describing yourself?" Minnesota Staff Fraud Reporting Commentary, an account representing more than 480 Minnesota state staff members who have sounded the alarm on fraud in the state, posted on X.

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"Ya might want to sit this one out…," Sal Nuzzo, executive director of Consumers Defense, posted on X.

"Actually, the problems were very real: 9% inflation, an open border with 20M+ illegal crossings, fentanyl killing 100K Americans a year, factories shipped overseas, energy dependence, and cities that couldn't keep the lights on," former Trump White House spokesman Harrison Fields posted on X. "Voters didn't imagine those — they lived them. That's why you're a retiring governor and failed VP nominee."

Conservative influencer account Gunther Eagleman accused Walz of presiding over Minnesota’s fraud scandal, posting on X, "Says the biggest fraudster in Minnesota."

"Crazy, you found an imaginary war record," Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden posted on X in response to questions about Walz’s recollection of his military service while running for vice president in 2024.

Fox News Digital reached out to Walz's office for comment.

"Of the MANY Statues and Fountains that we rebuilt, renovated, cleaned, and fixed, the only one that was Vandalized was the Reflecting Pool, which is being taken care of, ASAP!" 

Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday after alleging vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, where law enforcement activity and cleanup efforts have drawn national attention.

"It has been given a 300 foot long gash, chemicals have been illegally placed in the water, and the beautiful new grass field has been destroyed with a gigantic 86 47 chemically carved into it (Probably inspired by Dirty Cop, James Comey!). Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things - Which will be fully enforced! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT."