Both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have canceled scheduled appearances ahead of the final weekend before Tuesday’s midterm elections.
President Trump pulled out of planned rallies in Kansas and Iowa and replaced them with telephone appearances.
2016 Donald Trump Campaign Stop Creative Commons
Donald Trump Speaking Creative Commons Released Photo
At the same time, Vance, expected to announce the administration’s anti-fraud campaign, canceled a scheduled rally in Minnesota on Friday.
The change comes as Republicans face an uphill battle to retain control of both chambers of Congress.
A Change of Plans
Trump was scheduled to appear in Salina, Kansas, on Saturday, and in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday.
However, the Republican National Committee said he would now be hosting telephone rallies with voters in at least 19 states. “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,” said RNC Chairman Joe Gruters in a statement announcing the cancellations.
A White House official added that the telephone rallies would allow Trump to reach American voters before Tuesday’s vote. “President Trump will continue connecting directly with Americans nationwide through more than 20 tele-rallies before election day,” the official said to MS Now. “These events allow him to highlight his accomplishments and expand his reach across the country.”
The switch provides some relief and a reduced travel schedule for a president who has held 25 rallies in the past month.
His last in-person rally is set for today, Friday, October 30, in Daytona Beach, Florida, his home state.
Trump Dismisses Health Questions
Trump’s aggressive campaign schedule noticeably affected his voice at a rally in Mississippi on Monday.
During an appearance supporting Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, the president told attendees his vocal cords weren’t designed for a rally every day.
On Thursday, Trump lashed out at a Reuters reporter who asked why he wasn’t campaigning in Kansas to support Republican Sen. Roger Marshall.
Trump, who said Marshall was “doing very well” in the tightly contested race, was pressed by the reporter, who asked whether he is “sick of traveling.”
“Oh, you’re sick to ask that question. You are sick,” Trump interjected.
He then went on to insult the Reuters journalist and said, “You’ve been following me for two weeks. I feel perfect. You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape. You look like hell.”
Despite Trump’s confidence, an Emerson College poll released this morning showed 48.7% of Kansas respondents planned to vote or had already voted for Democrat Adam Hamilton, compared to 45.2% who said the same of Sen. Marshall.
Vance’s Minnesota Briefing Canceled
Vance’s scheduled appearance largely involved government affairs rather than a conventional campaign rally, and the White House announced Thursday that he would join members of its Task Force to Eliminate Fraud for a news conference in St. Cloud on Friday.
Although St. Cloud Mayor Jake Anderson and the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed the cancellation, they have not given an official reason.
President Trump created the task force through a March 16 executive order, naming Vance as chairman. Its responsibilities include coordinating federal efforts to identify fraud in government benefit programs.
A Difficult Night Ahead
The polls suggest it may be a difficult night for the GOP on Tuesday.
The Democratic Party leads by about nine percentage points in average congressional ballot polls. Although generic congressional ballot polls provide an overview of American public sentiment, they do not accurately assess the individual races that will decide President Trump’s final two years in office.
Any scenario other than the GOP retaining control of Congress will complicate Trump’s agenda for his final two years in office.
Despite record-low approval ratings in recent weeks, the president has remained front and center in the Republican Party’s national campaign.
While this may have mobilized MAGA Republicans who would not have otherwise cast their ballots, some Democratic campaigners have described his constant appearances as “a win” for the party.
“He’s literally driving people who disagree with him to the Democratic side,” said Michigan pollster Richard Czuba to the AP. “The dividing line is how voters feel about Donald Trump. And there are a whole lot more voters who disapprove of Donald Trump than approve of Donald Trump.”
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
