Trump Cancels Iowa and Kansas Rallies for Tele-Rallies Before Midterms
President Donald Trump has canceled his weekend rallies in Kansas and Iowa just days before the midterm elections, choosing instead to reach voters by phone in a series of "tele-rallies."
The Republican National Committee announced Thursday evening that Trump would spend a "72-hour sprint" holding tele-rallies in nearly 20 states, with more possibly to come.
Why the Change?
Trump had been scheduled to rally in Kansas on Saturday and in Iowa on Sunday. The RNC said the switch would maximize his ability to speak to voters across the country, CBS Minnesota reported, citing The Associated Press.
The phone events are much shorter than his usual appearances. Trump is expected to speak for about 10 minutes during each tele-rally, compared with the 90 minutes or more he typically spends at in-person rallies.
As of Thursday, Trump had held 25 rallies in October, short of a goal he had once set of more than 30. He still plans to hold an in-person rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday. It is unclear whether he will hold more in-person events after that, and the White House had not released his schedule for Monday, the final day of campaigning.
Trump already campaigned in both states this month. He held an event in Park City, Kansas, where he faced backlash over a slur, and last week he rallied in Sioux City, Iowa, where he called for a WNBA boycott.
"I Feel Perfect"
When a reporter asked whether he canceled the Kansas trip because of his health, Trump pushed back. "You've been following me for two weeks. I feel perfect," he said.
Trump's voice has grown noticeably raspy in recent days. At a rally earlier this week in Corinth, Mississippi, he joked, "God didn't make your vocal cords to do a rally every day."
He also downplayed the need to visit Kansas. "I don't feel I have to go to Kansas," he said, adding, "We're going to have a strong Tuesday night."
The Races at Stake
In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton is challenging Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, though Trump's team is reportedly confident about the state. Iowa is also among the races being closely watched, along with contests in Texas, Alaska and Mississippi.
Trump visited South Carolina on Thursday, his second trip there in a month, which the AP described as a sign of GOP anxiety, according to Spectrum News. Republican Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to her late brother Lindsey Graham's seat and later won the GOP runoff, faces Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.
Trump praised Lindsey Graham at the event and said his sister "has the gene." Graham warned that Andrews "would just throw it all away," while Andrews urged voters to "try something new for once," telling a crowd in Fort Mill that they "can fire me in six years" if they are unhappy with her. Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, who lost the GOP runoff to Graham, has refused to campaign with her.
In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Sen. Jon Husted. "Families see more money going out the door and not enough money coming in," Brown said, accusing Husted of "looking out for data centers and Wall Street."
Democrats See an Opening
Democrats are optimistic about flipping Republican-held Senate seats, pointing to voter frustration over rising costs, gas prices and the war in Iran.
Republicans, meanwhile, are betting that Trump's tele-rallies can help turn out supporters in the final days of the race. The RNC has said more tele-rallies could still be announced before voters head to the polls. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
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