President Trump had been expected in Michigan on Monday for one last campaign rally before the midterm elections. Instead, he delivered an unconventional address at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool before joining nine tele-rallies aimed at tight congressional races across the country.
Grand Rapids has served as the closing stop for Trump’s presidential campaigns in 2016, 2020 and 2024. While Michigan was not the final destination of his 2018 or 2022 midterm efforts, a White House official told The Post last month that the president had been planning to visit the Wolverine State Monday.
Rather than make a final personal appeal for Republican Senate hopeful Mike Rogers in his contest against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, Trump spent about an hour speaking at the Reflecting Pool. El-Sayed was the only candidate Trump singled out, with the president labeling him a “jihadist” running against “apple pie.”
“The entire calendar was done in pencil, and especially late in the month,” a second senior White House official told The Post on Monday. “And for today, and some yesterday, the schedule moved around to include telerallies [because] he can cover so much more ground.”
A source connected to the Rogers campaign said Trump’s planned final stop in Michigan had never been officially locked in.
Another person familiar with Trump’s thinking said he had grown “bored” with standard campaign speeches after making 29 appearances on behalf of Republican candidates. That, the source said, helped inspire the former reality TV producer to create a more unusual and attention-grabbing finish to the election cycle.
The change also came as Michigan’s political conversation remained focused on the stunning weekend development involving Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.). After narrowly losing the Democratic Senate primary, Stevens endorsed the Republican nominee instead of El-Sayed.
Stevens pointed to El-Sayed’s ties to Hasan Piker, a controversial anti-Israel commentator, whom the candidate has repeatedly declined to denounce.
The outcome carries major consequences for Trump and his administration.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Trump Says He’s in ‘No Rush’ to Resume Bombing Iran on Eve of U.S. Midterm Elections
A Republican defeat in the House — viewed as the chamber most vulnerable to changing hands — could leave Trump’s final two years in office dominated by congressional investigations and legislative stalemate.
A Democratic takeover of the Senate would make it significantly more difficult for Trump to secure confirmation of administration officials and judicial nominees, while potentially exposing him to additional investigations.
During his Reflecting Pool address, Trump offered an expansive preview of proposed changes in Washington, including a triumphal arch over the Potomac, a promenade near the Lincoln Memorial and the redevelopment of a DC golf course. He also highlighted a new White House helipad, fresh sod on the South Lawn and renovations to Lafayette Park.
Trump defended the decision to install a liner in the Reflecting Pool, repeating disputed claims that the material was vandalized after it tore. He also said newly added bubblers would prevent the algae growth that troubled the shallow pool during the summer.
“From the beginning algae formed,” Trump said while discussing the pool’s history and responding to images Democrats had cited as evidence of government mismanagement.
The president also highlighted what he described as sharp reductions in illegal immigration, favorable economic figures, low unemployment and the opening of new manufacturing facilities. He pointed to a sudden one-day decline in oil prices and credited tariffs for what he called an increase in national wealth.
“It’s the golden age of America. We have a country that we can be proud of again,” Trump said.
“For some reason, the sitting president doesn’t win the midterms, but we gave this a very strong shot.”