President Trump restores Kansas and Iowa rallies as midterms loom
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President Trump first scrapped two in-person rallies in Kansas and Iowa in favor of a wave of tele-rallies, then brought the live events back as the 2025 midterm elections near and Republicans scramble to protect their grip on Congress.
President Trump initially cancelled two in-person rallies in Kansas and Iowa, choosing instead to lean on a slate of tele-rallies, but the events were reinstated on Friday to fit the broader schedule of 19 virtual appearances. The Republican National Committee had announced the shift on Thursday, claiming the party was in a "strong position" in both states, before a source confirmed the rallies were back on the agenda.
The decision comes as the midterm elections, set for next week, are being treated as a high-stakes test of the administration’s standing in Congress. Republicans are fighting to retain control of the House and Senate, while Democrats hope to break through in districts that have long leaned Republican.
In a Thursday press briefing, President Trump said he expected "a strong Tuesday night" for Republicans and argued that Senator Roger Marshall’s performance in Kansas reduced the need for a personal appearance. The president’s tele-rallies will target 19 states, including competitive Senate contests in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas and South Carolina, as well as important House and gubernatorial races across the country.
A recent Guardian/Harris poll of about 2,000 adults found that cost-of-living worries and perceptions of government corruption were among the top issues for voters heading into the election.