Trump holds final speech before midterms at Reflecting Pool

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 2 Nov, 21:21 · Archive

President Trump delivered a lengthy address at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the eve of the midterm elections.

President Trump delivered what was expected to be his final scheduled public speech before the midterm elections on Monday, standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to discuss its recently completed $14m renovation.

Trump spent more than twenty minutes of his nearly hour-long address detailing work on the pool and other Washington monuments. He announced the pool's official opening and stated it was 'now better and more beautiful than it's ever been before'. He discussed the pool's new coating, granite work, restored piping, and what he described as its 'American flag blue' colour.

The renovation had faced significant problems. After Trump initially unveiled the project in June, an algae bloom turned the pool green and the coating began to peel. Trump alleged vandals were responsible, though his administration did not produce evidence. The US attorney's office later stated that a contractor's botched installation had caused the damage. Trump lashed out at the US attorney over this admission and continued to blame vandals.

When Trump eventually turned to the midterms, roughly twenty-three minutes into his speech, he called them 'the most important midterm, I believe, in our lifetime' and described Democratic candidates as 'the most extreme and dangerous slate of candidates in American history'. He touted his administration's record and criticised Democratic candidates including Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.

Meanwhile, Michigan Democrats reacted with anger to Representative Haley Stevens's endorsement of Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers over the Democratic nominee El-Sayed. Stevens had previously endorsed El-Sayed but cited his alliance with left-wing commentator Hasan Piker and a controversial advertisement tying Gaza to inflation as reasons for withdrawing her support. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the endorsement 'a despicable betrayal', while former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Stevens had 'chosen to dangerously betray Michigan families'.

How it is being reported

• Trump drops jaws with low-energy ramble about Reflecting Pool day before Americans decide his party’s fateWith control of Congress on the line, the president spent nearly an hour at the Lincoln Memorial narrating photographs of old pipes, musing about renaming the pool after himself, and warning of 'communist jihadists'Independent World · 2 Nov, 21:11
• Trump unveils results of $14m reflecting pool makeover in final appeal before midtermsUS president shares delayed results of chaotic renovation on DC site as Americans prepare to head to the polls Donald Trump unveiled the delayed results of his $14m renovation of Washington DC’s Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in what is expected to be his final press conference before voters head to the polls for the midterm elections. On the eve of a consequential election day, with polls indicating that most voters feel the US president has grown too focused on building projects in the nation’s capital, he stood in front of the newly opened reflecting pool to discuss – in detail –…Guardian World · 2 Nov, 20:42
• Trump focuses on Reflecting Pool in final public speech before midtermsTrump seemed to acknowledge that Democrats had an advantage heading into Election Day. "But we gave this a very strong shot," he said.CNBC · 2 Nov, 20:29
• Trump to deliver ‘closing argument’ for midterms in front of his once-botched Reflecting Pool: Live updatesTrump to hold Election Eve speech at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as Democrats reel from Haley Stevens ‘betrayal’ in MichiganIndependent World · 2 Nov, 15:13
• Trump to speak at D.C. Reflecting Pool as campaign nears finish linePresident Trump is holding an event Monday at the Washington, D.C. Reflecting Pool, while Michigan Democrats assess the fallout from a cross-party endorsement.CBS News · 2 Nov, 12:30

In this story: Donald Trump · Haley Stevens · Abdul El-Sayed · Mike Rogers · Chuck Schumer · Nancy Pelosi · Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool · Michigan

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log