Trump disputes reports of low attendance at recent rallies

President Donald Trump responded on social media to recent reports that attendance at his rallies has declined, asserting that the crowds were "unbelievable" and that the events were "sold out" and "maxed out." He also criticized media coverage, saying that certain networks focus more on Democratic candidates than on Republican events.

The New York Times noted that a rally in Mobile, Alabama, appeared sparsely attended, and an analysis by a Daily Beast-affiliated outlet estimated that Trump’s crowd sizes have fallen by as much as 75 percent compared with his 2015 campaign events. Observers at a recent midterm convention in Dallas reported visible empty sections in the venue.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released this week showed Trump’s approval rating at 32 percent, the lowest of his career, with Democrats leading Republicans 44-37 among registered voters ahead of the November midterms. The same poll indicated a larger Democratic advantage among independents and Hispanic voters, and identified the cost-of-living crisis as the top issue for voters.

Trump’s statements about flipping races and rally attendance were not supported by the poll data, which suggested that Democratic candidates were gaining momentum in several contests.