President Donald Trump concluded his final campaign push ahead of the midterm elections on Sunday with rallies in Iowa and Kansas, as a new poll indicated that Democrats were leading in all seven closely contested Senate races.
The President’s two appearances brought his campaign rally schedule to a close after he held 30 events aimed at energising Republican voters and protecting the party’s majorities in Congress.
However, a late-breaking New York Times/Siena poll showed Democratic candidates holding advantages in all seven Senate battleground states, including Iowa and Kansas, where Trump campaigned on Sunday.
Trump Praises Ashley Hinson at Iowa Rally
Trump spent more than two hours addressing supporters in Dubuque, Iowa, where he campaigned for Republican Senate candidate and Representative Ashley Hinson.
During his speech, the President drew attention to Hinson’s physical appearance, recalling that she had previously been heavier before losing weight.
“I knew Ashley for a long time, and she was a little bit heavier. OK? She was,” Trump told the audience.
He added that she had lost the weight through traditional methods rather than using weight-loss injections.
A protester interrupted the President while he was delivering the remarks, prompting him to complain that demonstrators frequently disrupted his speeches at critical moments.
“They always do it, right in the middle of my punchline!” he said.
Trump subsequently continued discussing Hinson, praising her for getting into shape and telling supporters that she had done it for them.
Trump Reacts to Haley Stevens’ Endorsement of Mike Rogers
The President also addressed Michigan Representative Haley Stevens’ decision to endorse Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
Stevens had previously competed against El-Sayed in the Democratic Senate primary.
Her endorsement of Rogers followed disagreements with El-Sayed over Israel and resulted in her being removed from Michigan’s Democratic Party.
Trump welcomed the development, describing Rogers favourably and saying he would like to see Stevens join the Republican Party.
“It was just an incredible thing. She just went out and she endorsed Mike Rogers. And Mike Rogers is doing well. He’s apple pie. Mike Rogers is apple pie,” he said.
The President also repeatedly criticised El-Sayed during his Iowa and Kansas appearances, making remarks about security arrangements if the Muslim Democrat won the Senate race.
At the Iowa rally, Trump also spoke about what he described as the threat posed by jihadists and communists, telling supporters that Republicans would not accept their political opponents taking office.
Sunday Rallies Were Restored to Trump’s Schedule
The two campaign appearances had initially been cancelled less than 24 hours before they were due to take place.
The White House reinstated both events after Trump became involved in a confrontation with a Reuters reporter on Thursday.
The reporter had asked whether he was becoming tired of travelling extensively for campaign appearances.
Trump’s lengthy speeches on Sunday demonstrated that he was continuing his campaign activities despite the demanding schedule.
In Dubuque, he spoke for more than two hours, approaching his personal record for the longest rally speech.
At one point, after speaking for approximately an hour and 17 minutes, he defended the length of his remarks.
“This isn’t rambling. This isn’t rambling. This is genius,” he told the crowd.
Trump Campaigns for Roger Marshall in Kansas
Trump travelled to Salina, Kansas, for his second rally of the day, where he campaigned for Republican Senator Roger Marshall.
Marshall is seeking re-election against Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton, a pastor.
The President arrived as Air Force One flew over the rally venue, with the aircraft gifted by Qatar visible behind him.
The event‘s large screens also displayed an Elvis Presley and Trump mash-up.
Trump spoke for approximately one hour and 24 minutes, telling supporters that he had wanted to make Kansas the final stop of his campaign tour.
“We’re shutting it down tonight, can you believe it? I wanted to make you the last but the best,” he said.
He joked that he could have spent the evening watching television instead of attending the rally.
The President also referred to the Kansas City Chiefs’ defeat to the Chicago Bears earlier that afternoon, describing the result as a nasty ending.
Trump Targets Democratic Politicians and Promises $5,000 Payments
During the Kansas appearance, Trump continued criticising Democratic politicians, including Abdul El-Sayed and Representative Ilhan Omar.
He also repeated his promise that Americans would receive $5,000 cheques if Republicans won the midterm elections.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was brought onto the stage during the event, with Trump joking about his growing popularity.
“He’s getting a little too popular; I’m not happy about this,” the President said.
He added that if Rubio became even more popular, he might have to tell him, “you’re fired.”
Trump ended the rally by dancing to the Village People’s YMCA, incorporating golf-swing movements into his performance.
Mike Johnson Urges Republicans to Ignore Poll Results
House Speaker Mike Johnson joined Trump onstage during the Iowa rally, where he encouraged Republican supporters not to be discouraged by the latest polling figures.
Johnson dismissed the surveys showing Democrats ahead in several competitive races, insisting that the polls were inaccurate.
“And I can tell you: you can dismiss the polls,” he told the audience.
“OK. The polls are wrong around the country.”
He also attempted a brief impression of Trump and praised the President’s stamina after completing his extensive campaign schedule.
“Sleep is for sissies,” Johnson said.
Poll Shows Democrats Leading in Seven Senate Battlegrounds
Trump concluded his campaign appearances with polls indicating that Republicans were facing difficult contests across the country.
The New York Times/Siena survey showed Democrats positioned to make gains in the Senate races in Kansas, Texas, Maine, Ohio and Michigan.
Democratic candidates also held narrower leads in Iowa and Alaska.
The poll results placed Republican Senate candidates behind in all seven competitive races, although Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers in Michigan could affect the contest.
Democrats need to gain four additional Senate seats to take control of the chamber.
The House of Representatives is also a major concern for Republicans, with Democrats needing to win just three additional seats to secure a majority.
