A recent internal report released by Atlantic Industrial Coatings has clarified the cause of the damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The contractor, responsible for the recent renovation, stated that the peeling and blistering of the pool's blue liner were the result of internal mistakes rather than external vandalism. According to the findings, the failure was primarily caused by the application of insufficient primer in specific areas of the pool. Additionally, the report noted that two of the chemical materials used during the lining process were incompatible, leading to the degradation of the surface.

While the report focuses on technical oversight, the narrative surrounding the cause of the damage has shifted significantly. Previously, there was public speculation regarding potential vandalism. The contractor’s admission now attributes the issue to "human oversight" during the construction phase. The report serves as an official acknowledgment of the company's responsibility for the project's shortcomings, effectively dismissing earlier theories that external actors were responsible for the damage to the site.