Trump returns to Iowa and Kansas for Sunday doubleheader
The president reversed a weekend cancellation to hold in-person rallies in two states with competitive Senate races ahead of the midterms.
By Tessa Cooper ·
President Donald Trump will hold campaign rallies in Iowa and Kansas on Sunday, reversing a decision made earlier this week to cancel both events. A person familiar with the schedule said the president will appear in both states on the same day.
The change alters the original plan, which called for a stop in Salina, Kansas, on Saturday and a rally in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday. The Iowa event has also moved to Cedar Rapids. Trump had previously announced he would conduct a series of phone rallies, known as telerallies, to reach a wider audience during the final days of the campaign.
The rescheduling comes as Republicans attempt to maintain their majority in Congress. The midterm elections have focused heavily on costs of living and the president's approval ratings. Trump promised a rapid series of in-person events at the start of October and has headlined 25 rallies so far this month.
On Thursday, the president dismissed concerns that his initial cancellation was due to health issues or fatigue. He told reporters that he was not going to Kansas because his candidate, Senator Roger Marshall, is performing well in polls. "I feel perfect," Trump said, adding that he did not feel the need to travel to the state.
The Republican National Committee stated that the phone rallies were added to allow the president to connect with more voters across the country. These events typically last about 10 minutes and involve the president reading from a script to callers, rather than the 90-minute speeches common at in-person stops. Phone rallies are also less expensive to stage than traditional gatherings.
Both Iowa and Kansas have competitive Senate races that will influence control of the chamber. In Kansas, Republican incumbent Roger Marshall is running for reelection against Democrat Adam Hamilton, a Methodist pastor. In Iowa, Republican Ashley Hinson, a current House member, is challenging the Democratic incumbent.
Trump has already visited both states this month to support Hinson and Marshall. In a Friday interview with a Kansas City radio station, he described Marshall as "fantastic" and credited the senator for pushing policies that benefit Kansas farmers, including expanding tax-free use of red-dyed diesel.
The president criticized Hamilton as a "radical" who has caused turmoil in the church due to his liberal views. Hamilton, a pastor, has previously said that if Jesus were standing before them now, Marshall would call him "woke."
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Kansas earlier this week to campaign for Marshall. He had also planned to hold a news conference in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on Friday to discuss anti-fraud efforts, but that appearance was scrapped due to a scheduling change. Vance had flown to Iowa in September to support Republican House candidates.
