Trump pivots to farewell tour for midterms
The president is holding his final in-person rallies before the November 3 vote, mixing nostalgic appeals with pragmatic asks for Republican candidates.
By Larissa Shah ·
President Trump is urging his base to treat the 2026 midterms as a referendum on his presidency, even though his name will not appear on the ballot. He is asking voters to pretend he is running because opponents are working to dismantle his agenda, including tax cuts and border security measures.
This strategy comes as he campaigns for hand-picked Senate candidates in the Carolinas who have struggled to generate momentum among Republican voters. Darline Graham is running in South Carolina, while Michael Whatley is in North Carolina. The rallies serve a dual purpose: boosting these candidates and providing a farewell performance for the president's loyal base.
The schedule has been intense. Trump held more than 25 rallies in October, focusing on red states where Republicans face political headwinds. On Friday, the Republican National Committee announced he would cancel two in-person events in Iowa and Kansas in favor of tele-rallies. Less than a day later, the in-person rallies were reinstated for Sunday.
A source familiar with the scheduling change, who was not authorized to speak on the record, stated that Trump would hold back-to-back rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Sunday. This decision follows nearly 20 tele-rallies scheduled for the final days of the campaign.
Trump's speeches blend familiar themes with new material. He frequently cites tariffs, which he calls his favorite word, though he recently demoted it to fifth place. He has also repeated a joke about Ohio Senator Jon Husted's physical attributes, claiming the bit helped the candidate gain 12 points in polling, though evidence suggests otherwise.
The president has also made unconventional promises, including a $5,000 dividend for American adults if Republicans win both chambers of Congress. He joked that the money would only buy a hamburger and a small dessert at his Mar-a-Lago resort, a comment that landed with his audience despite affordability being a top concern for voters.
Fans are making the pilgrimage to see him one last time. Blake Marnell, a San Diego native known for his wall-themed suit, took October off work to attend multiple events. Cindy New, a first-time attendee from Emerald Isle, North Carolina, said she wanted to see him before he can run again in 2028. Valerie Thivierge from Fort Myers, Florida, closed her Trump-themed store to attend the rally.
Trump acknowledged the physical toll of the schedule. He told an audience in Daytona Beach, Florida, that his voice was operating at 49.2% capacity after 28 consecutive days of campaigning. He described the experience as a mix of relaxation and exhaustion.
In Corpus Christi, Texas, Trump closed a rally by telling supporters that the next 11 years would likely be unique. He urged the crowd to win on November 3. The next scheduled events are the Sunday rallies in Kansas and Iowa.
