Trump unveils delayed reflecting pool renovation before midterms
President Donald Trump unveiled the delayed results of a $14 million renovation of the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Monday, 2 November 2026. The event was expected to be his final press conference before voters go to the polls for the midterm elections, the national votes that choose members of Congress halfway through a president's term. The Guardian
Standing in front of the newly opened pool, Trump spoke to reporters and went into detail about changes to the pool's pipe, the grass around it and the granite. "This project should be a project that unites all Americans," he said.
The project has had a rocky run. Trump first showed off the makeover in June 2026. Afterwards, a large algae bloom turned the water green instead of the "American flag blue" that had been promised, and the pool's coating began to peel away. The Guardian
Trump has alleged that vandals were to blame for the damage to the renovation, though he did not produce evidence to support the claim. Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn was initially charged over alleged damage to the pool. The office of US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a federal prosecutor, later dropped the case against him. The Guardian
Trump also accused Democratic predecessors Joe Biden and Barack Obama of overspending on earlier renovations to the pool.
About 20 minutes into his remarks, Trump turned to Tuesday's midterm elections and described them as crucial. Voters will choose members of Congress, including Senate seats. Polls showed Democratic candidates narrowly ahead of Republican candidates in competitive Senate races in Texas, Alaska, Kansas, Iowa and Maine. The Guardian
Elsewhere in the election run-up, the Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court, the country's highest court, to sideline 20,000 disputed mail ballots from California. Mail ballots are votes cast by post rather than in person. AP News
Trump's approval rating held near a record low ahead of Tuesday's elections, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. Reuters
