Trump to deliver final midterm-eve speech at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after renovation
WASHINGTON,DC: President Donald Trump will deliver his final midterm-election speech at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, November 2, bringing renewed attention to a renovation project that has faced delays, rising costs and repeated maintenance problems.
The announcement came on Sunday, November 1, following Trump's campaign appearances in Iowa and Kansas over the weekend, which he described as his final stops before Election Day. His decision to hold the closing event at the Washington landmark marks a departure from his month-long campaign schedule of rallies across predominantly conservative areas.
Trump chooses Reflecting Pool for final midterm campaign speech
Trump first indicated his plans while speaking to reporters after arriving in Iowa aboard Air Force One on Sunday. Referring to the Reflecting Pool, the president said the event would "show how beautiful it is."
"We might hold it tomorrow or something," Trump added, without providing further details. The White House formally announced hours later that Trump would deliver a speech at the site on Monday afternoon, a day before voters head to the polls.
Q: Why are you holding an event on the reflecting pool on the last day of the campaign? Trump: 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. https://t.co/uq5o6XPTnh
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 1, 2026
Trump's decision to remain in Washington for his final campaign appearance comes after weeks of rallies aimed at energizing Republican supporters ahead of the midterms. His party is seeking to retain control of Congress amid concerns over his approval ratings, the war in Iran, higher energy prices and the cost of living.
Trump had earlier described his Kansas rally as "my last stop." During his campaign appearances, he also repeatedly highlighted his administration's construction and renovation projects in Washington, including changes to the White House and federal landmarks.
Those projects include the addition of gold decorations in the Oval Office, the demolition of the East Wing to make way for a new ballroom, the conversion of the Rose Garden into a patio space and the construction of a helipad on the South Lawn. Trump has also pursued plans for a towering arch outside Washington and renovations to a century-old public golf course.
Trump has defended the construction work against criticism from Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, arguing that the projects are completed quickly and that overseeing renovations helps him relax.
Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation faces delays and cost overruns
Trump's involvement in the Reflecting Pool renovation began in April, when he said he wanted to change its color and promised to have contractors repair it within days for approximately $1.5 million, ahead of Independence Day.
The work ultimately finished nearly three months behind schedule, with the cost rising to more than 10 times the initial estimate. Trump initially declared the renovation complete in June, but the pool soon developed algae blooms, and sections of its new "American-flag blue" liner began peeling away. The pool was subsequently drained again in mid-July for further repairs.
Trump has repeatedly blamed vandalism for the damage. However, the office of US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host and longtime Trump ally, attributed the problems to shoddy workmanship.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump again maintained that the pool "was vandalized badly." The president also said security cameras had since been installed to prevent further incidents.
