Trump cancels Iowa, Kansas midterm events, opts for ‘tele-rallies’
With days remaining before the 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump has canceled scheduled appearances in Iowa and Kansas, opting instead for virtual 'tele-rallies' to reach voters across nearly 20 states.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) confirmed the cancellations in a statement on Thursday, unveiling a slate of 'tele-rallies' to replace the nixed events. Trump's rally on Friday in Daytona Beach, Florida – some 320 kilometres (200 miles) up the coast from his Mar-a-Lago resort – will proceed as planned.
Less than five days remain until the midterm elections on November 3, which will decide the composition of Congress, as well as key state and local offices. Whichever party wins control of Congress will exercise power over Trump's legislative agenda during the final two years of his second term.
Virtual Strategy
RNC Chairman Joe Gruters argued that the virtual appearances will be more efficient, reaching more voters than Trump otherwise could with 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.
The tele-rallies will be broadcast to nearly 20 states, including battlegrounds like Michigan, Alaska, Texas and Iowa, where competitive races are unfolding for the US Senate. The RNC statement added that further events may be announced in the coming days.
Political Landscape
Trump has placed himself at the centre of the Republican strategy to defend the party's congressional majorities. To motivate his base of support, he has repeatedly encouraged voters with the phrase, 'Pretend I'm on the ballot.'
Currently, the Republican Party holds narrow majorities in both chambers. In the Senate, the party holds 53 seats out of 100. In the House, it has 218 seats, with all 435 offices up for grabs this election cycle.
Political analysts have predicted Democrats have an advantage this midterm election cycle, citing Trump's slumping poll numbers and voter blowback over cost-of-living issues, foreign policy and other concerns. Harvard University's ElectIt election forecasting model has estimated that Democrats have a 94 percent chance of taking control of the House.
Health Concerns
At 80 years old, Trump will be the oldest president by the time his term concludes, and his health has been a concern. Since starting his second term, the Republican leader has been photographed with bruising on his hands, sparking speculation about any undisclosed medical conditions he may have.
After concluding a rally in South Carolina on Thursday, reporters inquired about his health. When pressed about whether his cancellation of events was related to being 'sick of travelling,' Trump lashed out at the reporter, saying, 'You are sick. You look like hell.'
Trump also questioned the need to visit Salina, Kansas, as he had planned to do on Saturday. 'I don't feel I have to go to Kansas,' the president said. Kansas, normally a Republican stronghold, has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932, but this cycle, Republican Senator Roger Marshall is facing a tight race with Democrat Adam Hamilton. A CNN poll released on Thursday showed Hamilton up by four percentage points, leading with 49 percent support to Marshall's 45 percent.
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