But when President Trump stepped up to a lectern in front of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool on Monday afternoon, he had another matter on his mind: rusty pipes. WASHINGTON—It was a picture-perfect setting for the closing argument of a contentious campaign season.
The president’s nearly hourlong speech, which some White House officials pitched as a capstone to a flurry of midterm election rallies, centered on the many construction projects and renovations Trump has overseen during his second term. He talked about cleaning up graffiti, fixing fountains and monuments, and resodding the National Mall. The remarks frustrated Republicans, including some of his own White House advisers, who privately expressed exasperation that the president chose not to use a high-profile speech on the eve of the election to squarely focus on the economic issues that voters say they care most about. In recent days, GOP operatives have grown increasingly worried that they will suffer far-reaching losses in this week’s election—and the mood inside the White House has grown dour. Asked for a response to the speech, a person close to the president texted a facepalm emoji. Don Bacon. He had hoped that Trump would focus more on GOP accomplishments such as tax cuts and border security, topics that the president touched on in passing during his speech. Bacon added that it wasn’t all bad: “At least he wasn’t talking about men’s behinds. After the speech, some Trump advisers argued that the remarks weren’t intended to be a closing message. Aides have privately encouraged him to focus on other things, but the president has largely rejected that advice, believing that the issue will resonate with voters. Polls have shown that a majority of Americans disapprove of his construction projects, including the new White House ballroom, though most Republicans view them positively. “The president’s a builder.
A prominent Republican strategist said the backdrop was great, but the message was wrong. “He has never been known for message discipline,” said retiring Nebraska Republican Rep. Trump views beautification of Washington as one of his strongest legacies, and he has told advisers it inspires pride in the country. You can’t keep him away,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Monday at the event.
Another Republican operative said that the algae that has plagued the reflecting pool would be the least of their problems if Republicans lose the House and Senate on Tuesday. But a senior White House official previewed the speech to reporters in exactly those terms on Sunday, saying the remarks would serve as a final argument to voters and an opportunity for the president to tout Republican accomplishments.
