At Lincoln Memorial, Trump drops jaws with energy-draining ramble about Reflecting Pool ahead of midterms
A lengthy focus on pool repairs
Trump began with what he described as a joking idea: renaming the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after himself. He then called over an aide to display photographs of corroded pipework and old joints, which he blamed on mismanagement by a prior administration. He discussed algae, the basin’s “American flag blue” resurfacing and granite he said had “a million-year life.” Trump also cited 330,000 square feet of protective coating installed at the site.
Trump turns to the election
Nearly 24 minutes into his speech, Trump addressed the midterms, calling the coming vote the most important of its kind in his lifetime. He urged voters not to elect Democrats and described their candidates as “the most extreme and dangerous” in American history. Trump singled out Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, making baseless claims that his candidacy meant Democrats included jihadists and Muslim Brotherhood members. He also baselessly claimed El-Sayed had called the United States “the House of Satan.”
Democratic response and criticism
The speech prompted scorn and disbelief among Democrats. One campaign operative called it an “absolute train wreck” and asked how Democrats had lost to Trump twice. Martin said working families, farmers and small-business owners had been pushed to use savings or take on debt to afford gas, groceries and healthcare. Martin criticized Trump’s attention to vanity projects and special favors for the ultra-rich, and said Americans were paying for the Republican agenda.
Key points
- Trump spent nearly an hour at the Lincoln Memorial, with much of his speech focused on the Reflecting Pool.
- He turned to the midterms after speaking for nearly 24 minutes.
- Trump made baseless claims about Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
- Democrats ridiculed the speech, while Martin criticized Trump’s priorities.