4 hrs ago
Google Maps Prank Renames Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
Someone changed the name of a famous pool on Google Maps as a joke about Donald Trump.
The new name was an Ojibwe phrase meaning “orange-coloured man.”
Google’s system accepted the change for a while.
People then added more than 100 joke reviews to the location.
Google removed the changed name the next afternoon.
The pool had already attracted attention because its water turned green and its paint peeled after a renovation.
Trump said someone had deliberately damaged it and accused David Hearn.
Hearn’s charges were later dropped, although Trump also acknowledged that a contractor error damaged the pool.
A Google Maps edit renamed the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool “Ozaawiminaanzo Inini Reflecting Pool,” an Ojibwe translation of “orange-coloured man.”
The altered name reportedly remained visible for several hours on Monday before being removed the following afternoon.
An unidentified Reddit user encouraged others to review the renamed location, and more than 100 reviews were posted.
The prank referenced Donald Trump, who has been involved in a dispute over damage to the $13.1 million-renovated pool.
Trump blamed former Olympic canoeist David Hearn for vandalism, but all charges against Hearn were later dropped.
- Who
- An unidentified Google Maps user, Google, Donald Trump, and former Olympic canoeist David Hearn are connected to the incident.
- What
- The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was temporarily renamed “Ozaawiminaanzo Inini Reflecting Pool” on Google Maps.
- Where
- The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.
- When
- The edit was reportedly visible for hours on Monday and was removed the next afternoon.
- Why
- The edit was presented as a joke about Donald Trump and drew attention amid controversy over the pool’s renovation and damage.
Claims of deliberate damage
Evidence of contractor error
Cause of the pool damage
Claims of deliberate damage
Donald Trump claimed someone deliberately damaged the Reflecting Pool and accused David Hearn of vandalism.
Evidence of contractor error
All charges against David Hearn were dropped, and Trump acknowledged that a contractor error damaged the pool while continuing to blame Hearn.
Responsibility for the map name
Claims of deliberate damage
The unidentified user treated the renamed listing as a joke and encouraged others to participate before it was removed.
Evidence of contractor error
Google’s automated moderation system ultimately removed the unauthorized name after it had remained visible for several hours.
Key facts
- Original name
- Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
- Temporary name
- Ozaawiminaanzo Inini Reflecting Pool
- Translation
- “Orange-coloured man” in Ojibwe
- Time online
- Several hours on Monday until the following afternoon
- Reviews added
- More than 100
- Renovation cost
- $13.1 million
- Google action
- The altered name was removed
Quotes
An unidentified Reddit user
A Reddit user who posted about the accepted Google Maps edit on a Canada-themed forum.
“I don’t know how long this will last before someone notices and someone in D.C. has it removed, so when it shows up sometime in the next 22 hours, please leave a review of your experience visiting the Ozaawiminaanzo Inini Reflecting Pool!”
wionews.com
“OMG My place edit was actually accepted by Google’s moderators!”
wionews.com
