Trump showcases Reflecting Pool renovation on eve of midterm elections

President Donald Trump used his last in-person appearance before Tuesday's midterm elections to promote the renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, delivering about 45 minutes of remarks on the National Mall on Monday, according to the Ohio Capital Journal. The same report was also published by the Tennessee Lookout, Louisiana Illuminator and Alabama Reflector.

The outlets described the renovation as a monthslong effort that ran into problems with algae and a second closure. Trump again said vandalism had damaged the pool's lining, a claim the report called unfounded. It noted that Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia whom Trump selected, dropped charges against a former Olympic canoeist accused of the damage after determining the grand jury had not been given evidence that the problem stemmed from contractor error.

"The pipes have just been changed. The whole thing is in great shape, and we're going to make sure nobody vandalizes it," Trump said, as quoted by the Ohio Capital Journal. He displayed large photographs of pipes and surfacing during the event, which Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also addressed.

According to the report, Trump's remarks covered a range of subjects, including criticism of former FBI Director James Comey, the new White House helipad, Greenland and the conflict with Iran. He first referred to the midterms about 23 minutes in, saying Democrats were fielding dangerous candidates and referring to "jihadists and Muslim Brotherhood members." The outlets linked the comment to his repeated attacks on Abdul El-Sayed, the Arab American Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan, which critics have described as racist. El-Sayed has rejected suggestions of ties to Islamist extremists.

Trump also restated a pledge of cash payments if Republicans keep control of Congress. "Every adult is going to get $5,000. But you have to spend it in the United States of America," he said. The report put the cost at $1.2 trillion and noted that Congress would have to approve the spending.

The election comes as Republicans are projected to lose about 15 to 25 House seats, according to the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, as cited by the outlets. The report said Trump's approval ratings have fallen to record lows amid high gas prices and inflation tied to oil market disruptions from the Iran war and to tariffs.

More than 57 million people had voted early in person or by mail as of 4 p.m. Eastern on Monday, the report said, exceeding the 2022 midterm early-voting record of 46 million.

Trump ended his campaign travel over the weekend with rallies in Kansas and Iowa. His schedule listed two telerallies before the Reflecting Pool event and seven more planned for Monday evening, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.

Compiled by True News from reporting by Ohio Capital Journal, Tennessee Lookout, Louisiana Illuminator and Alabama Reflector. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/731