President Trump delivered his final scheduled in-person speech before Tuesday’s midterm elections from the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, spending much of his remarks touting his beautification projects across Washington.
The president announced the reopening of the iconic pool during the event, even joking that officials had considered renaming it the “Trump Reflecting Pool” before saying he was kidding. At one point, Trump held up an image of the algae that had plagued the pool earlier this year.
Trump did not mention the election until more than 20 minutes into the speech. When he did, he made the stakes clear.
“As you know, this is the last day before the midterm elections, the most important midterm, I believe, in our lifetime,” Trump said.
“We have to keep our Congress strong, free,” he added, warning voters about what he called dangerous Democratic candidates.
The president appeared to acknowledge that Democrats head into Election Day with the advantage. “But we gave this a very strong shot,” he said.
Trump also used the moment to point to falling energy costs, telling the crowd that oil was down $10 on the day and calling it the biggest drop in history. He said prices would fall much further because the U.S. is winning against Iran.
He spoke briefly about his commitment to never letting Iran obtain a nuclear weapon before turning the speech back to the pool. Trump also discussed his push to build a massive triumphal arch in Washington and his plans for a promenade along the Potomac River.
According to a White House official, the Reflecting Pool unveiling was originally planned as a separate event. After three potential Monday rallies in key midterm states were scrapped, the decision was made to combine the unveiling with the president’s closing midterm message.
Presidents have traditionally used their final pre-election appearances to fire up voters and boost vulnerable candidates in battleground states. Trump was asked Sunday why he chose the Reflecting Pool over a swing-state rally.
The Reflecting Pool renovation has drawn heavy scrutiny since the summer. After the multimillion-dollar project was completed, algae quickly turned the water green and the new blue coating began peeling. Trump blamed vandals for the problem, while Interior officials initially said leftover algae in supply lines was the cause. The pool has struggled with algae blooms since it was built in 1922.
Trump originally promised the pool would be ready in time for Independence Day as part of a broader effort to spruce up the nation’s capital for America’s 250th birthday.
In a separate interview on the New York Post’s “Pod Force One” podcast, Trump said he would become “Mr. Veto” if Democrats win back control of Congress, promising to block Democratic legislation.
Polls open nationwide Tuesday, with control of both the House and the Senate on the line in what is widely viewed as a referendum on Trump’s second term.
[READ MORE: Don Bacon Says GOP Will ‘Debate’ MAGA’s Future if Republicans Stumble in Midterms]
