With only a few days left before the 2026 midterm elections, US President Donald Trump has announced that he is cutting back on his packed rally schedule by canceling scheduled rallies in Iowa and Kansas.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) confirmed the cancellation in a statement Thursday and announced plans for a “teleconference” to replace the canceled event.
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RNC Chairman Joe Gruters argued that virtual appearances would be more efficient and allow Trump to reach more voters than if he were physically present.
“Voters across the country want to hear from President Trump before Election Day, and this 72-hour sprint will be a big boost late in the election,” Gruters said.
The televised rally will be broadcast to about 20 states, including battleground states such as Michigan, Alaska, Texas and Iowa, where U.S. Senate races are fierce.
The RNC statement added that further events may be announced in the coming days.
Mr. Trump’s rally on Friday in Daytona Beach, Florida, about 320 kilometers (200 miles) up the coast from the resort of Mar-a-Lago, will go ahead as scheduled.
There are less than five days left until the midterm elections on November 3rd. Midterm elections determine the composition of Congress and key state and local offices.
Whichever party controls Congress will shape the legislative agenda for the final two years of President Trump’s second term.
President Trump also expressed concern that if Democrats gain a majority in both houses of Congress, he could push for a third impeachment.
Republicans currently hold slim majorities in both chambers. The party holds 53 of the 100 seats in the Senate. There are 218 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 435 offices are up for grabs this election cycle.
The Senate, on the other hand, only takes part in midterm votes, about one-third of its members. Unlike the House of Representatives, which has only two-year terms, senators are elected to six-year terms, and elections are spread over different election years to increase stability.
Political forecasters are predicting Democrats will have an advantage this midterm election cycle, citing President Trump’s weak poll numbers and voter backlash over cost of living issues, foreign policy and other concerns.
For example, Harvard University’s ElectIt election prediction model estimates that Democrats have a 94% chance of controlling the House.
But Senate races will be more difficult, with fewer seats to win.
Mr. Trump has placed himself at the center of a strategy to protect the Republican Party’s congressional majorities. To sway his base, he repeatedly encourages voters with the phrase, “Let’s pretend it’s on the ballot.”
Midterm elections are held halfway through a president’s term and are often seen as reflecting the president’s popularity.
However, at 80 years old, Trump will be the oldest president at the end of his term, and there are concerns about his health.
Since the start of his second term, the Republican leader has been photographed with bruises on his hands, sparking speculation that he has an undisclosed medical condition.
After leaving a rally in South Carolina on Thursday, reporters asked about his health.
“Mr. President, you’re traveling a lot. We’re traveling a lot with you. How are you feeling? How’s your health?” a Reuters reporter asked on the tarmac.
Trump initially dodged the question, focusing on his optimism about the Republican Party’s prospects in the election.
“Tuesday night is going to be a powerful night,” President Trump said.
But the reporter went on to ask, “So your not going to Kansas has nothing to do with being tired of traveling?” In response, President Trump was furious and lashed out.
“Oh, I don’t feel good asking that question. I don’t feel good,” President Trump said, insulting the reporter’s weight.
“You’ve been following me for two weeks. I feel perfect. You’re disgusting. Get in shape. You look like hell.”
In his remarks to reporters, President Trump also questioned the necessity of his planned visit to Salina, Kansas, on Saturday. “I don’t think we need to go to Kansas,” the president said.
Kansas is typically a Republican stronghold, but it hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932.
But this election cycle, Republican Sen. Roger Marshall faces a close race against Democrat Adam Hamilton, a megachurch pastor.
On Thursday, news outlet CNN released a poll that showed Hamilton’s approval rating had increased by 4 percentage points, leading with 49% support compared to Marshall’s 45%.
