‘Genshin Impact’s Latest Update Takes a Jab at Donald Trump Reflecting Pool Drama
Genshin Impact’s version 7.0 includes an in-game bulletin-board post widely interpreted as a parody of Donald Trump and controversy surrounding repairs to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Written by the fictional Grand Duke Diomid Turzov, it depicts a ruler whose poorly conceived fountain repairs worsen the problem before he blames supposed vandals and promises a forceful response. The reference matters because it shows developer miHoYo using optional game text to satirise a contemporary political dispute.
The post echoes Trump-like speech patterns and describes painting a polluted pool, adding bleach, and denying responsibility when the paint peels. Polygon links this to a reported project intended to address algae blooms at the Reflecting Pool, whose cost reportedly rose from $1.5–2 million to about $14–16 million before the algae and paint problems returned. The article also notes an earlier Genshin Impact reference, a Fontaine book titled The Art of Negotiation, seen as a nod to Trump’s The Art of the Deal.
- Genshin Impact 7.0 contains an apparent Trump parody.
- The satire references Reflecting Pool repair problems.
- It is not the game’s first apparent Trump jab.