With the 2026 midterm campaign drawing to a welcome close, President Trump today wrapped up a weeks-long series of rallies by delivering remarks at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where he joked that his administration might change the name to the Trump Reflecting Pool before spending some 20 minutes touting his D.C. construction and beautification projects, complete with visual aids.
It was a questionable final message before voters head to the polls on Tuesday. (On the other hand, it may have been a better option than any further discussion of Sen. Jon Husted’s posterior.) Trump’s construction projects have proved controversial and broadly unpopular, according to polls, and the work on the reflecting pool became a running joke as the multi-million-dollar effort to install an “American-flag blue” liner instead resulted in a swampy, green embarrassment that required additional work.
“The pool is now better and more beautiful than it's ever been before, and we're very proud of it,” Trump said before repeating unsubstantiated claims that his initial renovation of the landmark had been damaged by vandals.
‘The most important midterm’: When he eventually turned to discussing Tuesday’s elections, a weary-sounding Trump lauded his second term as a “golden age” for America. He again lashed out at Democrats and repeated his incendiary efforts to stoke fear among voters by labeling opposition party candidates as radicals, communists and jihadists bent on destroying America.
“As you know, this is the last day before the midterm elections — the most important midterm, I believe, in our lifetime. The Democrat party has nominated the most extreme and dangerous slate of candidates in American history,” Trump said, adding, “So we’ll defend our country, our culture and our heritage for generations to come.”
Trump’s closing message also centered on his success in securing the border, his 2025 tax cuts and a drop in crime and as well as an increase in U.S. oil and natural gas production, helped by Venezuelan reserves. He again pledged to give every U.S. adult $5,000 if Republicans win.
Trump claimed that he had kept every promise he’s made. “I’ve actually kept far more promises than I’ve made,” he said. “We’ve done much more than I promised.”
The bottom line: Trump’s dismal approval ratings are dragging down Republicans and energizing Democrats, who are now expected to win control of the House and have a strong chance of securing a Senate majority as well — something that seemed more of a long shot early in the cycle. Trump acknowledged that a sitting president’s party often fares poorly in the midterms. “But we gave this a very strong shot,” he said.