Kelly Dodd Explains Photo with Reflecting Pool Contractor

Former Real Housewives of Orange County cast member Kelly Dodd has addressed her connection to John J. Cafaro, the Trump donor currently facing scrutiny over a controversial Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool contract, stating that their relationship extends no further than a single photograph taken in December 2025.

Dodd told TMZ on Monday that she has no personal relationship with Cafaro whatsoever, despite a photograph from December 2025 showing the two together at Trump National Golf Club in Florida. According to Dodd, she was attending an event with her husband Rick Leventhal alongside Newsmax executives, President Donald Trump, and Rudy Giuliani when she spotted Cafaro and requested a photograph.

The reality television personality explained that Cafaro's distinctive appearance caught her attention. In the photograph, Cafaro appears wearing a red blazer with a cigar, which Dodd compared to the appearance of Ron Burgundy. She stated that she thought he looked unusual and funny, comparing his appearance to a villain straight out of central casting.

Dodd maintained that she had absolutely no knowledge of Cafaro's identity at the time the photograph was taken and was unaware of his name, background, or business dealings. She further stated that she did not learn Cafaro's identity until TMZ contacted her on Monday to inquire about any potential connection between them.

The photograph has attracted renewed attention as Cafaro faces scrutiny over a $1.7 million no-bid contract connected to the troubled Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool project. The longtime Trump donor has been the subject of questions following the appearance of algae in the newly renovated pool, which has prompted officials to conduct ongoing water testing.

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool project has been under examination since the algae issue emerged, raising concerns about the renovation process and the circumstances surrounding the contract award. The project's problems have brought increased attention to those involved in its execution, including Cafaro's role as a contractor.

For Dodd, however, the story behind the photograph remains straightforward. She characterized it as simply a snapshot with an individual whose appearance was memorable, but whose biography and professional activities were entirely unknown to her at the time. The former reality television star's explanation underscores the often casual nature of photographs taken at high-profile political events, where attendees may pose with numerous individuals without necessarily knowing their backgrounds or business interests.