Trump Details $16 Million Pool Repair as Election Looms

President Donald Trump focused on Washington infrastructure during his final major address before the midterm elections.

The 54-minute speech on Monday centered on physical improvements to the capital. Trump discussed the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which cost more than $16 million. He also covered new sod, the White House helipad, and landscaping projects. These topics dominated the address while his party faces the potential loss of control in Congress.

The Reflecting Pool measures 2,000 feet, or 610 meters. Its opening was delayed after paint peeled and algae turned the water green. The administration selected contractors without competitive bidding and cited vandalism for the problems. A judge later dismissed a case against an individual accused of that vandalism after prosecutors retreated from their allegations. During the speech, Trump displayed photographs of the pool, detailing its new bubblers and pipework while praising the reflective qualities of the fresh paint in sunlight.

Nonpartisan analysts currently favor Democrats to win a majority in the House of Representatives. They view the Senate race as competitive. A Reuters/Ipsos poll places Trump's approval rating at 32%, near the lowest point of his career. Voters cite the cost of living as their primary concern. Energy prices have risen 20% from a year earlier following the US and Israeli war with Iran.

Republican strategists had privately urged the president to focus on household economic issues. His campaign tour has included 28 rallies across 19 states since October 1. Those events featured lengthy discussions of a Potomac River golf course and the Kennedy Center. On Monday, Trump acknowledged the difficulty of midterm elections for sitting presidents. He stated that Republicans had made a strong effort.

If Democrats take control of Congress, they will gain the ability to launch broad investigations into Trump and his cabinet. His construction and renovation projects on the National Mall and at the White House could face scrutiny. Many of these projects proceeded without congressional approval and have encountered legal challenges. Trump briefly addressed campaign arguments during the speech. He described Democrats as unfit for office and asserted that the United States won the war with Iran, even as talks to end the conflict continue. He concluded by outlining plans for a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and an overhaul of the East Potomac Golf Links.