Trump’s closing midterm message is on the topic voters care about the least
On the day before the election which will determine the fate of Donald Trump’s remaining time in office, the president has given a speech centred on an issue voters resoundingly don’t care about.
Trump’s closing message was delivered at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC.
President Donald Trump holds a poster after speaking at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
And rather than focusing on the cost of living and inflation, he spoke at substantial length about his renovation plans.
There have been unflattering headlines about the reflecting pool after a botched renovation ordered by Trump resulted in the iconic landmark turning green.
The administration also blamed peeling coating on vandalism, a claim that has since been debunked.
But speaking in Washington, Trump reiterated his false claims.
"There was great vandalism with slashing," he said.
"It was sad to watch because the vandals really went to town."
He held up a large placard with photos of the algae in the pool, blaming the Biden and Obama administrations.
More than half his speech, around 25 minutes, was dedicated to his renovations in DC.
"We are replacing the grass in all the parks because, like the human being, grass has a life also," he said.
"So we have a lot of great things planned for Washington, and I could get into the nation, but for that you don’t have enough time."
Only reporters and a handful of park rangers were on hand for Trump’s closing midterm message. Saul Loeb/Pool AFP via AP
Trump was speaking before a small crowd of mostly reporters.
The president sounded unusually tired in his speech.
"We're giving serious thought to changing the name to the Trump Reflecting Pool," he said.
"I'm only kidding. Please don't report it."
His event was quickly panned by Democrats.
"Out of touch doesn’t begin to characterise Donald Trump," Congresswoman Gwen Moore said.
"While Americans are being squeezed in Trump’s failed economy, the only things he cares about are his gilded age ballroom and monuments."
Former president Joe Biden’s son Hunter was more withering in his remarks.
"This is Trump’s closing argument to the American people, and I for one am relieved to know we are fighting the scourge of algae no matter where we find it," Biden said sarcastically.
"I hope the Nobel Peace Prize Committee is paying attention."
A poll from CNN in July found 30 per cent of voters were angry about Trump’s construction projects, 28 per cent were dissatisfied, and just eight per cent were happy.
“He cares more about his vanity projects than the cost of anyone’s gas, groceries, or healthcare. It’s that simple,” Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said.
Republicans have been grumbling that Trump's unpopularity has been a millstone around their necks ahead of the midterm elections.
Donald Trump has spent a large amount of his second term focused on renovations in Washington DC. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein
Politicians and pundits have privately admitted that when Trump does a rally in their home states, their numbers go down.
And many Republicans have found other places to be when the president visits their state for a rally.
The first polls close at 9am Wednesday AEDT, and the first results will come in soon after.
Democrats are now heavily favoured to reclaim both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Nine.com.au will be giving live updates in our live blog throughout the day.
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