Donald Trump spent much of his final press conference before the midterm elections discussing a renovation project at the Lincoln Memorial, showing off the newly reopened reflecting pool just hours before Americans headed to the polls. The $14 million makeover has already drawn controversy and Trump’s latest appearance did little to distract from that, according to The Guardian.
Standing in front of the pool, Trump walked reporters through the changes, discussing everything from its piping to the surrounding grass and granite. He described the renovation as something that “should be a project that unites all Americans.”
When Trump first unveiled the renovation in June, he praised the pool’s new look and promised an “American flag blue” type of finish. However, a large algae bloom soon turned the water green and the coating began peeling away. Trump blamed vandals for the damage, but his administration provided no evidence to support the allegation.
Looks like he almost forgot about the midterms
The controversy also led to the arrest of David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist who was accused of damaging the pool. The U.S. attorney’s office under Jeanine Pirro later dropped the case, a decision that reportedly angered Trump. Hearn’s attorneys said that the dismissal “does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong.”
During the appearance, Trump again accused vandals of deliberately damaging the renovation, while also criticizing former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama over the cost of earlier work on the reflecting pool. It took roughly 20 minutes for the president to turn his attention to the midterm elections, which were less than a day away. Trump acknowledged that the party of a sitting president often loses seats during midterms, adding, “We gave this a very strong shot.”
That admission came as polls showed Democratic candidates narrowly leading Republicans in several closely contested races, including Senate contests in Texas, Alaska, Kansas, Iowa, and Maine. Voters have also expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s performance, particularly his handling of the economy and the rising cost of living.
Gas and grocery prices have increased since the beginning of the year, while inflation has remained stubbornly high. The war with Iran, which Trump started at the end of February, has also contributed to economic pressures. According to Silver Bulletin, Trump’s current approval rating stands at 38.4%, while the share of those who strongly approve of him is just 21%.
Published: Nov 3, 2026 09:00 am