Trump cancels Iowa and Kansas stops for 72-hour TV campaign
The RNC will replace in-person rallies with broadcasts to 20 states as the November 3 elections approach.
By Alina Campbell ·
President Donald Trump has dropped his scheduled campaign appearances in Iowa and Kansas, shifting his final push for the November 3 midterm elections to television. The Republican National Committee confirmed the change on Thursday, replacing the two in-person rallies with a series of virtual events designed to reach a wider audience.
RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated that the new format would be more efficient for the closing days of the campaign. He described the initiative as a 72-hour sprint that would provide a major boost to Republican candidates. Gruters said, 'Voters across the country want to hear from President Trump before Election Day, and this 72-hour sprint will be a huge boost in the closing days.' The broadcasts are set to air in nearly 20 states, including Michigan, Alaska, Texas, and Iowa, where Senate races remain competitive.
The shift comes with fewer than five days until voters cast ballots for all 435 House seats and a portion of the Senate. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers, with 53 Senate seats and 218 House seats. Control of Congress will determine the legislative agenda for the final two years of Trump's second term. The president has expressed concern that Democrats might seek a third impeachment if they secure majorities in both houses.
Political forecasters have given Democrats a distinct advantage in the upcoming vote. Harvard University's ElectIt model estimates a 94 percent probability that Democrats will take control of the House. The Senate race is projected to be tighter due to the smaller number of contested seats. Trump has positioned himself at the center of the Republican effort, urging supporters to 'Pretend I'm on the ballot' to motivate turnout.
The decision to skip Kansas follows a contentious exchange with reporters in South Carolina on Thursday. A Reuters correspondent asked the president about his health after he was photographed with bruising on his hands. Trump initially dodged the question, stating, 'We're going to have a strong Tuesday night.' When the reporter pressed on whether his health affected the travel plans, Trump reacted sharply. He told the journalist, 'You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape. You look like hell.'
The president questioned the necessity of the planned Saturday stop in Salina, Kansas, saying he did not feel he had to go. The state is typically a Republican stronghold, having not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932. However, a CNN poll released on Thursday shows Democrat Adam Hamilton leading Republican Senator Roger Marshall by four points. Hamilton, a megachurch pastor, holds 49 percent support compared to Marshall's 45 percent.
