President Donald Trump stood before the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, November 2, 2026, to unveil the results of a $14 million renovation — his final public appeal before voters headed to the polls for the midterm elections the following day.
The reflecting pool had been closed since July after the bottom coating peeled and algae growth tinted the water green, contrary to the promised 'American flag blue.' Trump promoted the reopened feature as a project that should 'unite all Americans,' but the event was dominated by his repeated, unsubstantiated claims that vandals were responsible for damaging the pool and delaying repairs.
Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn was initially charged with destruction of property in connection with the pool in June. In late July, the U.S. Attorney's office, led by Jeanine Pirro, dropped the case, citing information that undermined the evidentiary basis for the indictment. Trump has continued to blame vandals despite the dismissal, which his allies said constituted an abuse of government power.
Speaking on the eve of the midterms, Trump used the platform to campaign for Republican candidates, acknowledging that historically, the sitting president's party tends to underperform in midterms. 'For some reason, the sitting president doesn't win the midterms. But we gave this a very strong shot,' he said. He referenced competitive Senate races in Texas, Alaska, Kansas, Iowa, and Maine, and claimed economic wins, stating personal incomes are the highest in history and the poverty rate is at an all-time record low.
Trump also used the remarks to criticize Democratic opponents, repeating unverified claims that some were jihadists or members of the Muslim Brotherhood. He also claimed, without evidence, that a candidate named Dan Sullivan was recruited to run against the incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan in Alaska, calling it 'corrupt' and 'fraudulent.'
The National Park Service announced later that the reflecting pool and surrounding areas would remain closed until November 20, 2026. Beyond the pool, Trump highlighted other Washington renovation projects, including a new golf course, White House ballroom and helipad, and a proposed triumphal arch. In a lighthearted moment, Trump joked that the reflecting pool might be named after himself.
The president's speech capped a 28-rally, 25-day, 19-state campaign swing in the final stretch of the midterm cycle. On the final day of the 2018 midterm cycle, by contrast, Trump held in-person rallies in three states. Trump told reporters he chose the Reflecting Pool venue 'just to show how beautiful it is. It's been finished. It was vandalized badly. We have cameras all over the place now for the vandals.'
