WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is making a significant closing pitch for the midterm elections at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. This choice highlights his efforts to repair the pool, which have faced numerous challenges, just as Election Day approaches.
As he deplaned from Air Force One in Iowa, Trump commented to reporters that speaking at the Lincoln Memorial would “show how beautiful it is.” He indicated the possibility of holding an event there the following day, which was later confirmed by the White House.
Instead of traveling to key states to energize his “Make America Great Again” supporters, Trump opted for an event at the Reflecting Pool renovation site, which has become both contentious and embarrassing for his administration. This decision diverges from his strategy of staging over 25 rallies in conservative areas to counter his low approval ratings and unfavorable polls suggesting potential Democratic gains due to ongoing issues such as high energy prices and rising costs of living.
On his social media platform, Trump declared that his Sunday evening rally in Kansas would be “my last stop” before the elections. Throughout his rallies, he has discussed his vision for reshaping the White House and its surroundings, emphasizing his desire to imprint his style on the nation’s capital.
Trump has made various alterations to the White House, including lavish renovations to the Oval Office, which he decorated with gold accents. He has also initiated projects such as demolishing the East Wing for a ballroom, transforming the Rose Garden into a patio reminiscent of his Mar-a-Lago estate, and constructing a helipad on the South Lawn.
In addition to these changes, he has controversially closed the Kennedy Center after unsuccessful attempts to add his name to the building and has plans for a towering arch outside the city, along with a revamp of a century-old public golf course.
Despite facing criticism from former President Barack Obama and other Democrats for his focus on construction, Trump insists that renovations help him relax and can be executed quickly with minimal planning. He has maintained that the repairs to the Reflecting Pool would be both fast and inexpensive.
However, the saga surrounding the Reflecting Pool has been far from smooth. Trump first announced his intention to change the pool’s color and secure contractors known to him for the project, projecting a completion time of just a few days and a budget of approximately $1.5 million before Independence Day.
In reality, the repairs took nearly three months longer than expected, with the costs soaring to more than ten times his initial estimate, raising concerns about the project’s overall management. After declaring the work complete in June, the pool soon became plagued with algae blooms and its blue liner began peeling off, necessitating further repairs just weeks later.
Trump has attributed the issues to acts of vandalism, but the U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington, led by his ally Jeanine Pirro, indicated that the problems stemmed from poor workmanship. Despite this, Trump continues to assert that the Reflecting Pool was “vandalized badly,” and he has since announced the installation of security cameras to prevent future damage.
The situation took a particularly embarrassing turn when the Justice Department charged former Olympian David Hearn with intentionally damaging the Reflecting Pool, only to drop the case later when it was determined he was not responsible. A judge subsequently dismissed the case permanently, leading Trump to express his disappointment in Pirro, stating she “folded like an umbrella” without taking further action against Hearn.
