Senator Adam Schiff is once again taking aim at Donald Trump after reports revealed the cost of a controversial reflecting pool renovation project tied to the White House has exploded far beyond its original estimate.

The project, which involves repairs and repainting work connected to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool area, reportedly climbed to more than $13 million despite earlier promises that the cost would remain far lower. Critics are now questioning why the contract was awarded without a competitive bidding process.

Schiff reacted strongly online, accusing Trump of once again misleading taxpayers while rewarding companies with close ties to him. The California senator referenced previous Trump promises involving border wall funding and other White House projects before saying the president’s famous “Art of the Deal” image has always been “a scam.”

According to reports, the contractor selected for the work had previously handled projects connected to Trump-owned golf properties, which immediately sparked criticism from ethics watchdogs and political opponents.

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The renovation itself has also become controversial because part of the plan reportedly includes changing the reflecting pool’s appearance with a bright blue coating ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026. Some preservation experts and environmental groups argue the project is unnecessary and rushed.

Supporters of Trump defend the renovations as part of a broader effort to restore and beautify major national landmarks before the historic anniversary celebrations. However, critics argue the administration is prioritizing expensive cosmetic projects while many Americans continue dealing with rising living costs and economic pressure.

The debate quickly exploded across social media, where users argued over whether the project represents government waste, political favoritism, or simply another example of how deeply divided the country remains heading into another major election cycle.

President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to China is drawing major attention around the world, but this time people are focusing on more than just the meeting itself. The names traveling alongside him are quickly becoming one of the biggest talking points surrounding the trip.

According to reports, several powerful figures from business, technology, manufacturing, and trade circles are expected to be part of the delegation. Analysts say that alone sends a strong message about what the United States is prioritizing right now in its relationship with China.

While previous high-level visits often centered heavily on diplomacy and military tensions, this trip appears to place enormous focus on economic competition, artificial intelligence, supply chains, and investment opportunities. The people included in the delegation may reveal more about the administration’s real priorities than any official speech or press conference.

The timing of the visit is also significant. Relations between Washington and Beijing remain tense over tariffs, Taiwan, advanced semiconductor production, cybersecurity concerns, and growing global competition in emerging technologies. At the same time, both countries understand how deeply connected their economies still are.

Observers are especially watching whether new trade agreements, manufacturing partnerships, or technology negotiations could emerge from the meetings. Some experts believe the trip could shape economic relations between the two countries for years to come.

Another topic getting attention online is who is not attending. Social media users have been debating the absence of certain political figures and family members after reports suggested not everyone close to Trump would be joining the trip. That has fueled even more speculation about the political dynamics behind the scenes.

For many analysts, the delegation itself is becoming a symbol of how global priorities are shifting. Instead of focusing only on traditional diplomacy, modern summits are increasingly revolving around technology, business influence, artificial intelligence, energy, and economic leverage.

Whether the meetings lead to major breakthroughs or simply symbolic headlines, one thing is already clear: the people traveling with Trump to China are being watched just as closely as the negotiations themselves.

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The masked man who is suspected of the abduction of Nancy Guthrie appears to have been at her front door earlier than Feb. 1, the night police believe she was kidnapped, sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News.

The image the FBI released of the suspect at her front door, without a backpack, was captured by her Nest doorbell camera on a day before the suspected abduction, the sources said.

The FBI said the images of the suspect with the backpack on are from “the morning of her disappearance,” Sunday, Feb. 1, when Guthrie failed to show up to watch a virtual church service.

Nancy Guthrie kidnapping probe may see resources scaled back as leads come up empty: Sources

One theory, according to the sources, is that the suspect approached the door the first time, noticed the camera and was scared off, only to return later, when he is seen tampering with the device and putting branches in front of the lens.

The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department declined to comment.

The gap could help explain why investigators have asked neighbors to check their home security systems for suspicious people and vehicles going back to Jan. 1, a month before the abduction.

The images are the most important pieces of evidence in the investigation into “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother’s disappearance, which has captured the attention of the nation for much of the last month.

So far, no suspect has been identified by officials in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

Nancy Guthrie abduction: The full timeline

Jason Pack, a former FBI agent, told ABC News that if it is the same person, “it could indicate that the person was there surveilling the place before the abduction happened.”

“The fact that there was preparation and planning, which makes it more of a sophisticated type of criminal activity than someone just showing up,” he said.