Trump reinstates cancelled Kansas and Iowa rallies ahead of midterms
President Donald J. Trump reversed his earlier decision and will headline the previously cancelled campaign rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Sunday, days before the midterm elections.
President Donald J. Trump announced on Friday that he will again travel to Kansas and Iowa to headline the campaign rallies that had been cancelled the day before. A source close to the administration told Al Jazeera that the events, originally scheduled for Saturday in Kansas and Sunday in Iowa, will now both be held on Sunday, with additional tele-rallies planned to allow virtual participation.
The reversal follows Trump’s earlier comments to reporters that he did not feel compelled to visit Kansas. He later said, "We are going to have a strong Tuesday night," referring to the upcoming midterm elections.
Republican officials said they have not ruled out adding another campaign event before the vote. In Kansas, Republican Senator Roger Marshall faces a competitive race against Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton, who leads in a recent Emerson College poll, 49% to 45%.
Democratic observers criticized the cancellation, with former President Barack Obama adviser David Axelrod calling it a "strategic retreat" on social media. The Republican National Committee defended the use of virtual appearances, saying they allow the president to reach more voters.
Trump is also scheduled to speak at a rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday to support Senate nominee Ashley Moody and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds.