2026 US midterm elections: Trump's broken promises expose Republicans to backlash in midterms

In his last public address before the midterm elections, President Donald Trump emphasized the restoration of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a historic site in the US capital. The pool, where Martin Luther King delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, has been a symbol of Trump's presidency, with issues such as repairs, leaks, and vandalism.

Trump, who spent over 20 minutes discussing the pool's renovation, touted the project as part of a broader effort to "make the country safer and wealthier" and contrasted it with Democrats' alleged "radical, America Last agenda." The renovation cost roughly $15 million, but the project has faced criticism for peeling lining and green water due to algae.

Trump has predicted a Republican victory in the midterms, but acknowledged that if they lose, he would veto all legislation. The outcome of the midterms could significantly impact Trump's presidency, as control of the House would grant Democrats the power to govern the federal budget and investigate alleged corruption under Trump, while a Democratic Senate could block his lifetime appointments to the courts.

Democrats have faced internal divisions, with some candidates distancing themselves from the party establishment. The midterms have seen a record turnout, with 54 million people already casting their votes.