Trump to speak at Lincoln Memorial pool before Tuesday vote
The president chose a contentious renovation site for his final campaign stop while other midterm developments unfold across the country.
By Lorenzo Patterson ·
President Donald Trump will deliver his final campaign speech on Monday afternoon at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The White House confirmed the event on Sunday, shifting focus to a renovation project that has faced criticism for high costs and delays. Trump told reporters upon landing in Iowa that the speech would show how beautiful the site is. He added that the event might happen the next day, a statement that preceded the formal announcement by hours.
The choice of venue marks a departure from the typical closing strategy. Instead of traveling to key battleground states to rally supporters, the president selected a Washington landmark undergoing a difficult repair. This decision comes as his administration faces scrutiny over the project's timeline and budget.
In Michigan, a primary upset from August is creating new challenges for the Democratic Senate candidate. Former opponent Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday. Stevens said she was uninvited to a joint event with Abdul El-Sayed. She stated in a video announcement that El-Sayed told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. Her top aide resigned following the announcement. El-Sayed responded by saying he did not think about Stevens and that the endorsement did not matter to his campaign.
The Trump administration announced a $15 billion package for agricultural producers in the weeks before the election. The funds are intended to offset higher diesel and fertilizer costs resulting from tariffs and the Iran conflict. More than half of the money will go toward a one-time payment plan for farmers affected by fuel prices. The agency also plans $13.8 billion in payments to offset shortfalls for growers of corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice during the 2025 crop year.
In California, the Justice Department is defending a list of over 20,000 registered voters it believes are suspected noncitizens. The department suggested that the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights should face contempt charges. A court filing by the group claimed that more than 40 percent of the names on the list do not appear in the state voter file. The Justice Department argued that the filing violated a court order because it addressed issues beyond legal standing.
In Petersburg, Alaska, FBI agents are investigating a local campaign for ballot stacking. Agents interviewed contributors to the campaign of Dan J. Sullivan, a former teacher running against Senator Dan S. Sullivan. Sharon Hunter, a resident who donated $1,000 to Dan J. Sullivan, said agents knocked on her door on Saturday. She described the investigation as a waste of taxpayer money, noting that the candidate is a community contributor. The administration is weighing criminal charges over the tactic.
Trump held rallies in Salina, Kansas, and Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday. In Iowa, he predicted a sweep for Republicans on Tuesday. In Kansas, he arrived late and spoke for nearly 90 minutes. Hundreds of attendees left midway through the address, which ended near 10 p.m. local time.
