President Donald Trump canceled planned in-person rallies in Iowa and Kansas in the final days before the midterm elections and will hold virtual tele-rallies instead, the Republican National Committee announced Thursday.1,2,3,4,5
The change replaced two weekend stops with a virtual push intended to reach more voters before Election Day on November 3, which will decide the composition of Congress, as well as key state and local offices. The RNC said the shift would reach more voters during a 72-hour sprint.3,4,5
The RNC said Trump would appear in tele-rallies beamed to voters in multiple states, including battlegrounds with competitive Senate races such as Michigan, Alaska, Texas and Iowa. The Hill put the figure at 19 states; Al Jazeera said nearly 20 states. The RNC statement added that further events may be announced in the coming days.4,5
Trump's rally on Friday in Daytona Beach, Florida, about 320 kilometres (200 miles) up the coast from his Mar-a-Lago resort, will proceed as planned. Trump had also spoken at a rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Thursday afternoon, where he campaigned for Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham. The canceled Kansas stop had been planned for Saturday in Salina.4,6
RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said the virtual appearances would be more efficient than on-the-ground stops. "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," Gruters said.4,5
After the South Carolina rally on Thursday, Trump was asked on the tarmac about his health and travel. "Mr President, you've been doing a lot of travel. We've been doing a lot of travel with you. How are you feeling? How's your health?" a reporter from the news agency Reuters asked. Trump at first did not answer directly and spoke instead about his outlook for the election. "We're going to have a strong Tuesday night," Trump said.4
When the reporter followed up by asking, "So you not going to Kansas has nothing to do with you being sick of travelling?" Trump responded angrily. "Oh, you're sick to ask that question. You are sick," Trump said, before commenting on the reporter's weight. "You've been following me for two weeks. I feel perfect. You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape. You look like hell."4
During those remarks, Trump also questioned the need to travel to Kansas. "I don't feel I have to go to Kansas," the president said. Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932, but Republican Senator Roger Marshall is facing a close race this cycle against Democrat Adam Hamilton, the pastor of a megachurch. On Thursday, CNN released a poll showing Hamilton leading with 49 percent support to Marshall's 45 percent, a margin of four percentage points.4
The outcome will determine control of Congress during the final two years of Trump's second term, with the party in control exercising power over his legislative agenda. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers, with 53 seats out of 100 in the Senate and 218 seats in the House, where all 435 offices are on the ballot. Trump has said he is concerned that Democrats might seek to impeach him for a third time if they win majorities in both the House and Senate.4
Only about a third of Senate seats are on the midterm ballot. Unlike in the House, where terms last two years, senators are elected to six-year terms with elections staggered across different years. Political analysts have said Democrats have an advantage this cycle, citing Trump's slumping poll numbers and voter concerns over cost-of-living issues, foreign policy and other matters. Harvard University's ElectIt forecasting model has estimated Democrats have a 94 percent chance of taking control of the House and a 74 percent chance of winning a Senate majority, though the Senate race is seen as more difficult with fewer seats available.4
Trump has placed himself at the center of the Republican effort to hold Congress, repeatedly urging supporters with the phrase, "Pretend I'm on the ballot." Midterm elections, held halfway through a president's term, are often viewed as a reflection of a president's popularity. At 80 years old, Trump will be the oldest president by the time his term concludes, and his health has drawn attention since he was photographed with bruising on his hands, prompting speculation about undisclosed medical conditions.4
The RNC said more tele-rally details could follow, with the Florida rally on Friday before voters decide control of Congress on November 3.4,5
