Trump swaps in-person stops for phone rallies in Iowa and Kansas
The Republican National Committee says the shift aims to maximize the president's reach in nearly 20 states during the final days of the midterm cycle.
By Rosa Wojcik ·
President Donald Trump canceled scheduled weekend rallies in Iowa and Kansas on Thursday. He will instead hold phone-based events, a format the Republican National Committee says can reach voters in almost two dozen states simultaneously.
The change was announced Thursday evening by the RNC. The committee described the plan as a 72-hour sprint designed to maximize the president's ability to speak to voters nationwide ahead of the November 3 election. Telerallies are currently planned for nearly 20 states, with additional locations potentially added.
A person familiar with the operation said the shift reflects growing optimism about Republican prospects, particularly in Kansas. In that state, Democrat Adam Hamilton is mounting a competitive challenge against Senator Roger Marshall. The insider noted that Trump is expected to speak for approximately 10 minutes during these phone events, a stark contrast to the 90-minute speeches he typically delivers at in-person rallies.
Trump denied that health issues prompted the schedule change. Speaking on Thursday, he stated he was not traveling to Kansas because Marshall is doing very well. He also confirmed he still plans to travel to Florida on Friday.
The president made the announcement after visiting South Carolina for the second time in a month. His presence underscores Republican anxiety over Senator Darline Graham’s campaign against Democrat Annie Andrews. Graham, the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s sister, was appointed to the seat in July and became the party nominee in August. Trump told the crowd that Graham has the gene for politics, adding, I got you into this thing, Darline.
Andrews, a pediatrician, has positioned herself as a change candidate in a state that has not sent a Democrat to the Senate in nearly three decades. She told voters in Fort Mill on Wednesday that they can fire her in six years if she does not perform well. The race has drawn attention from disaffected Republicans, including Brent Chaplin, a 37-year-old finance worker who voted for Trump in 2016 but supports Andrews this year.
Trump’s strategy extends beyond South Carolina. He referenced contests in North Carolina, Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, and Alaska. In Alaska, the Justice Department issued new grand jury subpoenas as part of an investigation into the Democratic Senate campaign’s recruitment of a candidate with the same name as Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan. Trump called the development a conspiracy and questioned whether Democrat Mary Peltola would be seated even if she won.
In Iowa, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand urged voters to act before November 3 to avoid post-election regret. Sand, who faces a Republican legislature if he wins, told supporters in a Des Moines suburb that divided government will require compromise. He predicted that voters on both the far left and far right would be somewhat disappointed by the governing process.
