# Trump's Midterm Speech on Pool Plumbing

> Trump's speech on Lincoln Memorial pool leaks hints at Republican congressional losses.
- Title: Trump's Midterm Speech on Pool Plumbing · Slate Magazine
- Summary: Trump's speech on Lincoln Memorial pool leaks hints at Republican congressional losses. Trump's speech on pool plumbing reflects Republican congressional…
- Keywords: donald trump, congress, midterm elections, lincoln memorial, reflecting pool, alga, seattle, nfl, Trump's, Midterm, Speech, Pool
- Source: Slate Magazine — https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/11/donald-trump-midterm-elections-senate-house-reflecting-pool.html?via=rss
- Author: Molly Olmstead
- Published: 2026-11-02T21:53:13+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, congress, midterm elections, lincoln memorial, reflecting pool, alga, seattle, nfl
## Trump's Pool Speech
Trump spoke at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday afternoon.

> Very special place, the Lincoln Memorial. Behind us, it’s been something that, uh, for a long time, generations, they’ve looked at what’s behind me. From 1922. And believe it or not, it’s never worked.
## Pool Leaks and Algae
Trump highlighted leaks, algae blooms, and pipe corrosion in the Reflecting Pool.

> This is a massive piece of pool. There’s never been anything like it. It’s the biggest anywhere in the world by far.
## Blame on Previous Administrations
Trump blamed Obama and Biden for defective expansion joints in the pool.

> He held up a photo of trashed expansion joints, which he called 'defective' and blamed on Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
## Pool Color and Architecture
Trump discussed the blue color of the pool lining and its architectural history.

> He shared photos of algae to show where previous administrations had failed to properly care for the water.
## Shift to Political Topics
Trump moved to political topics after 17 minutes of pool discussion.

> He pulled out blown-up photos of the pipes to illustrate age-related damage.
## Republican Campaign Boost
Trump's speech was expected to boost Republican candidates but did not.

> If you were a Republican in a tight race hoping for a last-minute campaign boost from the president, this was perhaps not an ideal way for this speech to go.
## Midterm Election Reference
Trump mentioned the midterm elections for the first time at 23 minutes into his speech.

> As you know it’s the last day before the midterm elections.
## Pool Projects and D.C. Grass
Trump bragged about park renovations and claimed D.C. grass needs less frequent replacement.

> Does Trump know that D.C. has no voting member in Congress and that there’s no competitive federal election in the district?
## Political Claims
Trump accused Abdul El-Sayed of being a jihadist and claimed Democrats wanted to mutilate children.

> He accused Abdul El-Sayed of being a jihadist and claimed that Democrats wanted to mutilate children.
## Key takeaway

Trump's speech on pool plumbing reflects Republican congressional losses.