Trump Holds Pre-Midterm Event at Reflecting Pool, Site of Botched Renovation

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Monday chose an event at the Reflecting Pool in Washington, a site of a renovation project, over travel to key states, according to a PBS NewsHour report carrying a story by Will Weissert of The Associated Press.

The Associated Press said the president opted for the event rather than using the day to travel and try to energize his "Make America Great Again" supporters, at a time when the Republican Party is trying to maintain control of Congress. The wire service described the renovation project as embarrassing and contentious.

The New York Times report by David A. Fahrenthold and Tyler Pager said the president will make his closing arguments before the midterm elections at a landmark that "came to symbolize" his administration's dysfunction. Its headline states that the Reflecting Pool is now refilled after a botched renovation.

Both reports place the event at the same site and describe the renovation as botched or contentious, but they differ in emphasis. The Associated Press focused on the choice of venue over campaign travel, while The New York Times focused on the pool's refilling and the symbolism it has taken on for the administration.

Neither source summary describes what the president said at the event. The summaries also do not describe the crowd, the timing of the event, or any remarks, so those details are not reported here.

Sources: PBS NewsHour: WATCH LIVE: Trump delivers last pitch before midterms at Reflecting Pool, site of botched renovation; The New York Times: Trump Returns to Reflecting Pool, Now Refilled After Botched Renovation.