Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Don't touch the Potomac. That's D.C.'s message nearly a month after a sewer pipe collapse sent millions of gallons of raw sewage into the river.

More

Alternate links: Google News | Twitter

Hysterical. A National Park Service pipeline pollutes the Potomac, and Trump throws a tantrum and blame it on the governor of Maryland.

[image or embed]

-- Scott Horton (@robertscotthorton.bsky.social) Feb 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM

The internet was quick to correct President Donald Trump on Monday after he blasted Maryland's Democratic governor over a sewage spill in the Potomac River, then was mocked for lying about it.

[image or embed]

-- Raw Story (@rawstory.com) Feb 16, 2026 at 8:30 PM

Comments

Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Profanity will be filtered. Abusive conduct is not allowed.

Lets break it down ....

The failure of the sewage system in DC has dumped around 200-300 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac.

The Exxon Valdez oil spill was 11 million gallons.
That means that there has been 27.7 Exxon Valdez spills.

Another way to look at it, a John Lewis class Navy oiler can carry 5.5/6.5 million gallons of fuel. Let's call that 6 million gallons.
What we are looking at is 50 John Lewis class oilers dumping a full load of sewage in the waters around the nation's capital.

Fascinating while complaining about cutting back EPA rules that didn't have much affect, this whole episode is dropped on the floor.
Why have lumpers moved on from the environment?

Why does California also have this same issue in San Diego?
today.ucsd.edu

#1 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-02-16 12:39 PM | Reply

Fascinating while complaining about cutting back EPA rules *that didn't have much affect, this whole episode is dropped on the floor.

Why have lumpers moved on from the environment?
Why does California also have this same issue in San Diego?

There you go agin Commie Spugeboy. Digging in America's ----.

Being a new commie spy here you may not know that you haven't earned that right. And apparently you are not yet aware of the old American saying ...

"---- Happens!"

*BTW - Since 1970, the Clean Air Act ( as administered by the EPA) has dramatically reduced air pollution, including a 74% drop in hazardous air pollutants from large industrial facilities between 1990 and 2017.

GFY commie spy. (Obligatory)

#2 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-02-16 12:55 PM | Reply

"EPA rules *that didn't have much affect"

Riiiiiiiight.

In 1967, I visited Los Angeles for the first time, a few months after the first smog regulations were passed. I noticed a very pronounced brown 'ring' around the horizon of the Valley.

Since then, smog regulations have been tightened and updated. And since I began traveling regularly (1-2 times/yr) to LA in the late 80s, I've seen the air quality increase every trip. The brown ring is long gone.

Anyone who tells you the regulations didn't have much "affect" is gaslighting, at best.

#3 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-02-16 01:16 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

Chumper remains a chump

#4 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-02-16 03:07 PM | Reply

He thinks Tijuana is San Diego. Good job, dumbass.

#5 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-02-16 03:08 PM | Reply

#3 it's onelumpofs*^%.

No gaslighting, just straight up lying.

#6 | Posted by jpw at 2026-02-17 08:30 AM | Reply

Nothing is more MAGA than polluted rivers. This is utopia for MAGA, what they want to see literally everywhere.

#7 | Posted by chuffy at 2026-02-17 07:14 PM | Reply

If I didn't know this was a literal true story, I would have thought it a metaphor for this administration.

#8 | Posted by jpw at 2026-02-17 07:31 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

#8

Yup, I was thinking the same.

#9 | Posted by bat4255 at 2026-02-17 08:51 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

only that ---- sphincter Trump could blame a sewer pipe break on "bad governance by a democrat."

Amazing.

Our grandchildren are going to read the history accounts and wonder how the insanity of 2016-2028 ever happened.

#10 | Posted by e1g1 at 2026-02-17 08:54 PM | Reply

oneIQirony:
Let's flip the script:

how do you know this spill didn't happen because Trump and Musk cut many EPA jobs, including INSPECTORS?

I love a CCP shill trying to effing ballpolish Trump in the name of division.
And Trump writing "FEMA defunded by Democrats" is a laughable and clumsy lie.

#11 | Posted by e1g1 at 2026-02-17 08:57 PM | Reply

Trump lying?

Must be a day that ends in Y

#12 | Posted by Nixon at 2026-02-18 08:13 AM | Reply

Re 12

Yup.

And now for the rest of the story.

Turns out the sewage pipeline infrastructure that broke is under FEDERAL responsibility. That took about 5 seconds to find out.

Will OneNut take responsibility and apologize for any of his dirty nasty hateful lies?

Not likely.

That's not how Commie Spyboys roll.

Fascinating while complaining about cutting back EPA rules that didn't have much affect, this whole episode is dropped on the floor.

The EPA was invited to a meeting with the local governors over this very issue but declined to even respond. Probably because they would have to answer some really tough questions.

#13 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-02-18 11:56 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Blame Someone Else Again

#14 | Posted by Derek_Wildstar at 2026-02-18 12:17 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

#1 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-02-16 12:39 PM | Reply

Comparing a raw sewage spill, which is about 99% water, to a crude oil spill in terms of environmental impact is either just naive or intentionally disingenuous.

#15 | Posted by MBlue at 2026-02-18 12:21 PM | Reply

"intentionally disingenuous."

^
That's his shtick.

#16 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-18 12:22 PM | Reply

When is the disgusting-------------------'s infrastructure week going to kick off?

#17 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-02-18 01:36 PM | Reply

DC Water CEO David L. Gadis has championed equity and diversity throughout his tenure. He was also named in a lawsuit against his former employer for allegedly withholding information about water contamination in Flint, Michigan

#15 | POSTED BY MBLUE

Raw sewage is a leading driver of dead zones and public health crises.

#18 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-02-18 03:19 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Comparing a raw sewage spill, which is about 99% water,

These fish would like a word ....


https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/08/22/fish-rio-lake/2690519/#

#19 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-02-18 03:26 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Pedo 47 Worries Potomac Will Smell Like his Diaper on July 4th

politicalwire.com

#20 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-02-18 05:19 PM | Reply

The head of DC Water bragged about getting rid of the white guys so that the C-suite looked more like the line workers and customers (70% black). Well, this is the result of DEI as usual. Enjoy drinking and swimming in your sewer water - also, that seafood is gonna be extra good after feeding on human excrement. You brain dead liberals do this EVERY SINGLE TIME.

#21 | Posted by ScottS at 2026-02-18 09:30 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

19 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-02-18 03:26 PM |

You are comparing a lake to a river. And it's still not close to as bad as if it were crude.

It's not like I said a sewage spill is a good thing. It's just nowhere near the disaster an oil spill is.

#22 | Posted by MBlue at 2026-02-18 10:58 PM | Reply

Fake ----- bitches are the leading result of lead-based paint.

#23 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-02-19 01:00 AM | Reply

#21

We get it. You're a racist cock-gargling scat-eating pedophile. Ok?

#24 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-02-19 01:01 AM | Reply

"Comparing a raw sewage spill, which is about 99% water, to a crude oil spill in terms of environmental impact is either just naive or intentionally disingenuous."

Go for a swim with RFK Jr then.

"The head of DC Water bragged about getting rid of the white guys so that the C-suite looked more like the line workers and customers (70% black). Well, this is the result of DEI as usual. Enjoy drinking and swimming in your sewer water - also, that seafood is gonna be extra good after feeding on human excrement. You brain dead liberals do this EVERY SINGLE TIME."

Republicans have complete control of the government. This is your ----, wallow in it

#25 | Posted by dibblda at 2026-02-19 02:47 AM | Reply

"You're a racist
#24 | Posted by LegallyYourDead"

I am the racist? I am not the one that bragged about firing the white guys before dumping 250m gallons of raw human sewage into the Potomac. You have a mental disorder that goes way beyond just being a pedophile.

#26 | Posted by ScottS at 2026-02-19 05:46 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"You're a racist
#24 | Posted by LegallyYourDead"

I am the racist? I am not the one that bragged about firing the white guys before dumping 250m gallons of raw human sewage into the Potomac. You have a mental disorder that goes way beyond just being a pedophile.

#27 | Posted by ScottS at 2026-02-19 05:47 AM | Reply

*** Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D): "Dummkopf Trumpf is Lying to the Public" ***

Link: x.com

#28 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-02-19 06:19 AM | Reply

from the link:

Governor Wes Moore
@GovWesMoore
The President is lying to the public:

1) For the past century, the federal government has been responsible for the Potomac Interceptor " not Maryland. The sewage pipe is on federal land.

2) Maryland agencies and DC Water presented updates on the cleanup during a two-hour legislative hearing. Trump's EPA was invited. They refused to attend.

3) Maryland officials were onsite within hours of the leak to help coordinate the response and protect the public. We will continue to partner with regional leaders.

Of course OneiroNUT is on Trumps side.

#29 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2026-02-19 06:54 AM | Reply

Commie Spyboy posts what he thinks is a GOTCHA thread about sewage and ends up smelling like the topic of his post.

#30 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-02-19 08:25 AM | Reply

"Governor Wes Moore
@GovWesMoore
#29 | Posted by Alexandrite "

Another DEI douchebag. Here is the reality: DC Water is responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the pipe.

Yes, it goes on Federal land but the Fed is not responsible for maintaining, operating, or inspecting it. This is 100% the fault of DC Water and their DEI CEO and DEI Chairwoman.

#31 | Posted by ScottS at 2026-02-19 11:12 AM | Reply

"#31 | Posted by ScottS"

To help decode the typical Liberal blame shifting, DEI Wes Moore is saying that it is a 'Federal' issue and not a State of Maryland issue - by this, he is saying that is the fault of DC Water - which is a District of Columbia-based authority. Again, not the Federal government - this is one the DEI hires at DC Water. And who appoints and controls DC Water? Why it is the DEI mayor of Washington DC.

#32 | Posted by ScottS at 2026-02-19 11:18 AM | Reply

"DEI Wes Moore"

Tell us you've never seen him interviewed, without using those specific words.

#33 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-02-19 11:21 AM | Reply

"#33 | Posted by Danforth "

Who is at fault for the leak dipshit? Was it DC Water?

#34 | Posted by ScottS at 2026-02-19 11:22 AM | Reply

"Well, this is the result of DEI as usual."

Republicans say black people and brown people are the cause of all our problems.
Republicans also say that's not racist.

#35 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-19 11:27 AM | Reply

34 | POSTED BY SCOTTS A

Sewage discussing sewage.

#36 | Posted by Zed at 2026-02-19 11:29 AM | Reply

"#35 | Posted by snoofy"

When you brag about getting rid of the whites just before dumping 250m gallons of human sewage into the Potomac, it is not racist to say that DEI was a primary cause of this spill.

#37 | Posted by ScottS at 2026-02-19 11:33 AM | Reply

"Who is at fault for the leak"

Certainly not Wes Moore.

But nice deflection! And thanks for admitting you've never seen him interviewed.

#38 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-02-19 11:47 AM | Reply

"#38 | Posted by Danforth"

Typical non-answer from the dipshit pretend 'tax-preparer'. GFY.

#39 | Posted by ScottS at 2026-02-19 11:50 AM | Reply


"Well, this is the result of DEI as usual."

Republicans say black people and brown people are the cause of all our problems.
Republicans also say that's not racist.
#35 | POSTED BY SNOOFY

So sewage in the Chesapeake is now a "problem" to you?

You understand this is the same guy that was in charge in DETROIT, told the natives to drink the water it was safe.

Why TF would anyone hire this guy again for the same position if something like DEI didn't exist?

Serve it up ....

#40 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-02-19 12:04 PM | Reply

The orange child rapist just gave a green light to the biggest polluters.

www.theguardian.com

#41 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-02-19 12:09 PM | Reply

Serve it up ....

#40 | POSTED BY ONEIRONAUT

More sewage about sewage from commie spyboy.

GFY Commie Spyboy.

You have been served.

#42 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-02-19 12:13 PM | Reply

"So sewage in the Chesapeake is now a "problem" to you?"

It was a "problem" before you discovered it and then desperately tried to blame it on a democrat when it's clearly the Federal Government's responsibility.

And it's still a problem. Because Trumpy insists on lying about it and trying to use it as a politcal bludgeon to further divide Americans.

And it would NOT be a problem much longer if the states and the feds could actually work together. You know.. Like they did with the Francis Scott Key bridge disaster.

#43 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-02-19 12:21 PM | Reply

The following HTML tags are allowed in comments: a href, b, i, p, br, ul, ol, li and blockquote. Others will be stripped out. Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Profanity will be filtered. Abusive conduct is not allowed.

Anyone can join this site and make comments. To post this comment, you must sign it with your Drudge Retort username. If you can't remember your username or password, use the lost password form to request it.
Username:
Password:

Home | Breaking News | Comments | User Blogs | Stats | Back Page | RSS Feed | RSS Spec | DMCA Compliance | Privacy

Drudge Retort