Trump cuts two in-person rallies to launch 19-state phone-in push
The president canceled stops in Kansas and Iowa after a 25-rally tour, opting for tele-rallies with MAGA Inc as the midterm elections approach.
By Harper Laurent ·
US President Donald Trump canceled scheduled campaign stops in Kansas and Iowa on Thursday, ending a four-week tour of the country. Instead of appearing in person, his allies confirmed he will participate in a series of telephone rallies leading up to the midterm elections.
The canceled events were planned for Salina, Kansas, on Saturday, and Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday. The Republican National Committee issued a statement later that day confirming the cancellation of the Iowa rally. Kansas is a battleground for the Senate seat held by Republican Roger Marshall, who is competing against Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton. Trump told reporters he did not feel the need to travel to the state, noting that Marshall was performing well and predicting a strong result for the party on Tuesday night.
Since October 1, Trump has attended 25 rallies across 19 states. He has frequently campaigned in rural areas of Republican-leaning states. The upcoming elections will determine if Republicans keep their narrow majority in both the US Senate and the House of Representatives.
To maintain his presence in the canceled states, a group called MAGA Inc announced it will host tele-rallies in at least 19 states. These events will feature the president calling in from a central location before Election Day.
Trump is still scheduled to travel to several other states before the vote. A stop in Florida is planned for Friday. The president has acknowledged that the recent schedule of daily speeches has been physically demanding. On Monday in Mississippi, he described the vocal strain by saying, "God didn't make your vocal cords to do a rally every day."
On Thursday, after campaigning for Senator Darline Graham in South Carolina, Trump addressed questions about his stamina. He responded to a Reuters reporter asking if he was tired of traveling by saying, "You've been following me for two weeks," before adding, "I feel perfect." He then boarded his motorcade to return to the White House.
The shift to phone-in events marks a change from his recent pattern of in-person appearances. The president has maintained a high level of activity in the final days before the election, balancing travel with virtual engagements.
