Driving the news: “The pool is now better and more beautiful than it has ever been, and we are very proud of it,” Trump said in his Monday speech, adding: “We have endured a lot of vandalism.”
- But Trump’s Justice Department dropped vandalism charges against former Olympian David Hearn. A judge later threw out the case after prosecutors acknowledged that faulty installation caused the damage to the pool.
- Trump added that the administration was “giving serious thought” to renaming the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool the “Trump Reflecting Pool,” before later saying he was joking.
- Throughout his speech, he showed printed images that he identified as the pool’s pipes, joints and other materials. He also showed an image that appeared to show “8647” sprayed on the base of the drained pool, saying “that was a Comey phrase” – a reference to his former FBI director and chief nemesis.
Zoom out: He also discussed his renovation plans at the White House, including the recently installed helipad and the restoration of the Scotts Miracle-Gro lawn after the UFC fight on the White House grounds.
Point of friction: Trump’s plans, including his arch in the Washington DC area and his ballroom at the White House, have been widely criticized by Americans in polls.
- “This project should be a project that unites all Americans,” Trump said Monday of the recently reopened Reflecting Pool, which sat empty for an extended period earlier this year.
Zoom: His pre-election pitch at times sounded more like a typical rally speech, in which he touted his immigration policies and war with Iran while calling Democrats “the party that hates America.”
- “This is the last day before the midterm elections, the most important midterm elections of our lifetimes,” he said. “The Democratic Party has nominated the most extreme and dangerous slate of candidates in American history.”
- He also reiterated his proposal to hand out $5,000 checks if Republicans win in the midterms.
What’s next: After inviting Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to speak, Trump then touted his “arch of triumph” project, detailed plans for a “promenade” from the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River and teased the renovation of his golf course.
- “We have a lot of big things planned for Washington, and I could come into the country, but for that you don’t have enough time,” Trump said.
- He ended his argument by touting a “golden age,” saying, “We were made fun of as if we were stupid people. Every leader, every president, every prime minister, every king, every queen has made fun of us. But they don’t laugh anymore.
Josephine Walker of Axios contributed to this report.
Go further: Trump to Deliver Closing Midterm Speech at Lincoln Reflecting Pool
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