WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump used the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as a backdrop for his closing midterm election pitch on Monday, turning a Washington renovation project into a campaign stage just days before Election Day.
The appearance marked a significant departure from Trump's campaign schedule, which had focused on over 25 rallies in conservative areas as his Republican Party seeks to maintain control of Congress. Instead of traveling to key swing states, Trump chose the Reflecting Pool, a site that has become synonymous with his administration's ambitious — and troubled — infrastructure agenda.
The Reflecting Pool renovation, which began in April, has been marked by delays and cost overruns that have far exceeded initial projections. Trump originally claimed the work could be completed in mere days for about $1.5 million before Independence Day. However, the project wrapped up nearly three months behind schedule, and the budget ballooned to more than 10 times the original estimate.
The renovation has been beset by quality issues since its completion in June. Algae blooms quickly appeared in the pool, and the 'American-flag blue' liner began peeling off in sections. The administration drained the pool again in mid-July for additional repairs. While Trump has repeatedly attributed the problems to vandalism, the U.S. Attorney's office under Jeanine Pirro determined the issues stemmed from shoddy workmanship. A case against former Olympian David Hearn, charged with intentionally damaging the Reflecting Pool, was abruptly dropped this summer; a judge later permanently dismissed the charges.
Trump used the appearance to promote his broader vision for Washington D.C., an area he has sought to mold through a series of high-profile renovation projects. Beyond the Reflecting Pool, his administration has overseen the refurbishment of the White House interior, plans for a towering arch just outside the city, and efforts to revamp a century-old public golf course. The President has bristled at criticism from former President Barack Obama and Democrats that he has spent too much time on construction, insisting the work relaxes him and is carried out quickly.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool appearance caps a week in which Trump has used renovation venues for his political messaging, blending his infrastructure agenda with his midterm election strategy as voters head to the polls.
