Trump Makes His Closing Pre-Election Pitch

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Trump Makes His Closing Pre-Election Pitch Focused on ... the Reflecting Pool

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.

Quote of the Day: Trump Prepares to Be 'Mr. Veto'

"I think we're going to do great, but if we didn't win, I'd veto everything [Democrats pass]. I'll be vetoing, vetoing. Then they'll come along and we'll probably make some deals along the way, but it wouldn't be as good ...."

− President Trump, in a new podcast interview with the New York Post, explaining how he might work with a Democratic Congress.

Asked what he wants to focus on over the next two years, Trump said that right now he's busy with campaign rallies and voter turn-out efforts. He then went on to tout border security, economic data and military strength. "The most important thing is to keep it going," he said.

Asked if he'll be able to work with Democrats, Trump said, "Well, if that happens, I guess I'll become Mr. Veto. I'm not going to let them run. And then at some point, we'll probably make deals. That's what's happened. I mean, this is - this wouldn't be the first time. You'll have a president, and you won't have the House or the Senate. They'll be sending stuff up. You veto it, and eventually after a month or two of getting all vetoed - you know, it's just wasted - they come over and you make a deal. I think that probably would happen, but hopefully we don't have to worry about that."

Fiscal News Roundup

• Trump Focuses on Reflecting Pool in Final Public Speech Before Midterms – CNBC
• Trump Pre-Election Pitch: Reflecting Pool, Pipes and a New Promenade – Axios
• Supreme Court Rejects Trump Administration's Bid to Set Aside 20,000 California Ballots – The Hill
• 'A Lot of Republicans Have Held Their Tongues': Anger at Trump Is Growing – Politico
• Iran Says It Would Reopen Strait of Hormuz in 2 Days as Part of U.S. Deal – New York Times

Views and Analysis

• How Deficits Will Shape 2028 Politics – Neil Irwin, Axios
• Economic Growth Alone Won't Solve the US Debt Problem – Justin Fox, Bloomberg
• 2028 Won't Be the 2020 Ideas Primary Again – Mike Konczal, Substack
• How to Beat the Deficit Hawks – Zachary Liscow, The Argument
• The Inflation Election – Washington Post Editorial Board
• Nate Silver: Latest Preelection Polling Shows 'Blue Tsunami' on Horizon – Ryan J. Karlin, The Hill
• Trump's Tariffs Are on the Ballot in Michigan – Ana Swanson, New York Times
• The 2026 Election That Matters Most of All – Politico Magazine
• Five Questions That Will Determine How the Midterms Shake Out – Amber Phillips, Washington Post
• What's Behind a Recent Spike in Early Social Security Claims? – Paula Span, New York Times
• A Weaker ACA Will Cost All Americans – Lisa Jarvis, Bloomberg
• This California Revolt Was a Mistake. Voters Should Take Note. – M. Nolan Gray, Washington Post
• Taxing Artificial Intelligence: What's on the Table, and What's at Stake – Elena Spatoulas Patel and Aparna Mathur, Tax Policy Center
• A New Millionaire's Tax in Washington State Could Play a Role in How It Funds Education – Robert McClelland, Tax Policy Center