Trump details Reflecting Pool repairs in final campaign stop
The president spent over 20 minutes discussing aesthetic choices for the monument on Monday, while Vice President JD Vance campaigned in New York and Ohio.
By Anthony Shevchenko ·
Voters heading to the polls on Tuesday face a choice between parties focused on very different priorities, with President Donald Trump closing his midterm campaign cycle in Washington rather than on the traditional road.
On Monday afternoon, Trump stood at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to announce its official reopening. He dedicated more than 20 minutes of his opening remarks to the renovation, a project that has drawn criticism for its cost and execution issues.
During the address, Trump described the specific shade of blue used to paint the pool's bottom and discussed the types of columns and grass selected for surrounding repairs. He held up enlarged photographs of rusted pipes found during the renovation work and joked about naming the pool after himself.
The event took place as the president reiterated his claim that the new surface was damaged by vandalism. The Justice Department charged former Olympian David Hearn with intentional damage this summer but dropped the case after determining he was not responsible. Trump maintains that vandalism, rather than workmanship, caused the blue liner to peel.
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Rome, New York, to campaign for Republican House candidates Kailee Buller and Anthony Constantino. He also made stops in Ohio to support Senate and House nominees. Vance argued that Democrats are out of touch with voters, a message that contrasts with the president's focus on capital renovations.
Democratic candidates spent the final 24 hours before Election Day targeting Republican-held districts. In Iowa, state Attorney General Rob Sand campaigned with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, aiming to break a two-decade streak of Republican victories for governor.
In Michigan, Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed addressed concerns that former primary opponent Haley Stevens might damage his chances. Stevens announced on Sunday that she would support Republican Mike Rogers, citing differences on Israel and other issues. El-Sayed, campaigning with Representatives Debbie Dingell and Elizabeth Warren, told supporters to vote if they were worried about the shifting dynamics.
The presidential race is not on the ballot, but the midterms will determine the balance of power in Congress. Trump has called affordability a hoax, a stance that diverges from the economic concerns many voters have expressed in recent polls. The party controlling the House and Senate will shape the legislative agenda for the next two years.
