President Trump launches intensive midterm rally tour across Republican strongholds

President Trump began an intensive October rally tour aimed at energizing the Republican base and supporting about 30 GOP candidates ahead of the midterm elections. After a September dinner with Republican contenders in the White House Rose Garden, he pledged to visit every one of the "35 places" he mentioned, though the White House has not disclosed the exact locations.

Since the pledge, Trump has focused his travel on traditionally Republican states rather than the swing states and districts he initially referenced. Stops this week have included Arizona, Montana, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Alaska, where he campaigned for Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich, both facing tight races.

"I'm going to go to every one of those 35 places and we're going to see if we can get everyone elected," Trump said at the Rose Garden dinner.

"So, I do it to thank them. I also do it because we have some great people there that are running and I want to make sure they win," Trump told reporters between rally stops in Arizona and Montana.

"This is worth the 8 hours in a plane," he added after the Alaska appearance.

RNC Chairman Joe Gruters emphasized the focus on turnout, saying, "It's turnout, turnout, turnout. How do you get the base to show up? You put the president on the ballot. You put him out there."

The campaign itinerary also includes a planned stop in Kansas, where a U.S. Senate race is considered a toss-up, and a rally in Greenville, North Carolina, where Republican campaign committees have begun canceling ad reservations for their Senate candidate, signaling concerns about the race's viability.

Trump’s messaging remains consistent, highlighting his past election victories, proposed policies and a promised $5,000 dividend to each adult American if Republicans win control of Congress, an idea that has encountered resistance from some elected Republicans.

Democratic officials, such as North Carolina Democratic Party chair Anderson Clayton, warned that the late-stage push may not sway voters, stating, "I think it's going to backfire on them this year in every way shape and form. He's trying to drum up any amount of support that he can at the last minute. But I don't think that North Carolinians are going to fall for it again."

The tour reflects a broader Republican strategy to shore up support in areas that have traditionally been safe but are now facing tighter races, as the party seeks to counter declining turnout in elections where President Trump is not on the ballot.