President Donald Trump delivered his final campaign address before the 2026 midterm elections at Washington’s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, November 2. The speech began at 3:35 p.m. and ended at 5:37 p.m., according to a White House pool report.
Trump said he chose the site to show “how beautiful it is.” The event took place on the eve of Election Day, when voters were set to choose candidates in races that would determine control of the House and Senate.
Access around the memorial was restricted
The National Park Service said access to the Lincoln Memorial area and nearby sites would be limited on November 2 for presidential security. Several roads and parking areas were also scheduled to close during the afternoon.
The Reflecting Pool and its walkways were already closed to the public for renovation work, with the closure scheduled to continue through November 20, according to the National Park Service.
The administration had announced plans to resurface the pool, including a blue finish requested by Trump. The work drew scrutiny after the coating began peeling and the water changed color. In a court filing, the Justice Department later cited a botched contractor installation, while Trump had publicly claimed the site was vandalized.
Reid Bentley 
Dana Mcgee