WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump stood silently Monday while triumphant music played as he held up a poster showing an image of the algae-clogged pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. This moment marked the final speech before the critical midterm elections, a departure from the typical campaign trail where Republicans were rallying to maintain control of Congress.
The president’s choice to showcase his renovations in Washington, rather than energetically campaigning across the country, raised eyebrows among political analysts. Doug Heye, a Republican strategist, remarked, “It starts just with the setting being bizarre and being very self-focused. None of which help a single undecided voter in the last day of the elections move to the Republican Party.”
Trump, donning a white “USA” hat, seemed more concerned with the cosmetic upgrades he made to the Reflecting Pool than addressing pressing voter issues like rising prices. “We have a lot of great things planned for Washington, and I could get into the nation, but for that, you don’t have enough time,” Trump said, diverting attention to details of his renovations.
The president’s speech included tangents about various subjects, from rusty pipes to paint colors, and he notably repeated false claims about vandalism affecting the pool’s renovations. While displaying a poster depicting the pool’s appearance, he asserted that it was “back, and more beautiful than ever!” despite issues with the pool’s new blue liner peeling due to a hastily executed repair job, a fact acknowledged by the Justice Department.
Trump’s obsession with the word “grass” was evident, as he mentioned it approximately 20 times, discussing everything from types of grass to its symbolic nature. “That’s not grass, that’s algae,” he pointed out while holding up an image of the pool’s murky water.
In what could be seen as an unusual show-and-tell, Trump displayed images from the renovations, showcasing rusted pipes and the construction process. This odd focus on his public works projects came just after he canceled campaign rallies in Kansas and Iowa, indicating a shift in strategy as he opted for telerallies instead, where he engages supporters via phone.
Jennifer Mercieca, a communications professor at Texas A&M University, suggested that Trump’s emphasis on renovations may have been less about influencing voters and more about solidifying his legacy. “I doubt that the parents who felt like they couldn’t afford to buy Halloween candy this year will be impressed with Trump’s DC renovation projects,” she remarked.
The Reflecting Pool, a significant landmark symbolizing historical moments, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, received considerable attention from Trump this summer. Despite its iconic status, the pool faced challenges post-renovation, including algae blooms and peeling liners. The Justice Department initially charged a former Olympian with damaging the pool but later dropped the case.
Looking ahead, Trump spoke about plans for a triumphal arch, likened to the Arc de Triomphe, that he claims will feature “tremendous drone capability.” He also discussed renovations for a public golf course and a proposed “National Garden of American Heroes,” intended to honor 250 prominent Americans with statues.
After dedicating over 20 minutes to his construction projects, Trump pivoted to the midterm elections, labeling them as potentially the most critical in modern history. He attempted to paint his political rivals as extremists while addressing public concerns over inflation and foreign policy.
Despite the challenges his party faces in the elections, Trump emphasized his administration’s accomplishments, stating, “For some reason, the sitting president doesn’t win the midterms. But we gave this a very strong shot.”
___
Associated Press writer Josh Boak contributed to this report.
