Trump to deliver closing midterm address at damaged Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

President Donald Trump will deliver his final speech of the midterm election cycle on Monday afternoon at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C.

The White House formally announced the venue on Sunday, selecting a site that has been the subject of ongoing repairs and public debate. This decision places the focus of the president's campaign finale on a specific infrastructure project rather than a traditional rally in a swing state.

The Reflecting Pool renovation began in April when Trump stated his intention to change the water color and complete the work using specific contractors. He projected the project would take mere days and cost approximately $1.5 million, with completion scheduled before Independence Day.

The repairs concluded nearly three months behind that initial timeline. The total cost exceeded the original estimate by more than tenfold, a figure that assumes no further maintenance or repairs will be required in the future.

Trump initially declared the project finished in June. Shortly after the unveiling, the pool experienced algae blooms, and the new liner, described as American-flag blue, began peeling in sections. Workers drained the pool again for additional repairs in mid-July.

Disagreements emerged regarding the cause of the defects. Trump repeatedly attributed the damage to vandalism. In contrast, the office of U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, stated that the issues resulted from poor workmanship.

A notable episode in the dispute involved the Justice Department charging former Olympian David Hearn with intentional damage to the pool. The department later dropped the case this summer, determining Hearn was not responsible. A judge subsequently dismissed the matter permanently.

Following the dismissal, Trump expressed frustration with Pirro, telling reporters she had folded. He used the phrase folded like an umbrella to describe her handling of the case, though he did not remove her from her position.

On Sunday, while deplaning from Air Force One for a rally in Iowa, Trump told reporters that speaking at the pool would demonstrate its beauty. He initially suggested the event might occur the following day without providing specific details. Hours later, the official announcement confirmed the Monday schedule.

The choice of venue marks a shift from the president's recent campaign strategy. Over the past month, Trump held more than 25 rallies in largely conservative areas. He spent considerable time at these events discussing his second-term focus on modifying the White House and the surrounding capital.

Those modifications include adding gold details to the Oval Office, demolishing the East Wing for a new ballroom, and converting the Rose Garden into a patio style reminiscent of his Mar-a-Lago estate. He also erected a helipad on the South Lawn and closed the Kennedy Center after attempts to add his name to the building failed.

Trump has defended his focus on construction projects against criticism from Democrats, including former President Barack Obama. He has stated that these renovations provide relaxation and are completed quickly without extensive planning. On Sunday, he insisted the Reflecting Pool fix would be fast and inexpensive, despite the revised timeline and budget.