Washington (GNP): US President Donald Trump has cancelled two of his final in-person midterm rallies, the Republican Party said on Thursday, just days before voters decide control of Congress.
The cancelled events were set for Salina, Kansas, on Saturday and Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday. The Republican National Committee (RNC) said in a statement that Republicans are in a strong position in both states, so the planned rallies will not go ahead as scheduled.
Trump will instead hold a large number of virtual “telerallies” across several states, according to the RNC. MAGA Inc, a campaign funding group aligned with him, said it will host such events with the president in at least 19 states, including Kansas and Iowa, before Election Day.
The decision drew attention because Kansas is not a safe seat this time. Republican Senator Roger Marshall faces an unexpectedly competitive race against Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton. Trump told reporters he did not feel he had to go to Kansas, saying Marshall is doing very well and predicting a strong night for Republicans on Tuesday.
The cancellations also followed a tense exchange on his return to Washington from a campaign trip to South Carolina, where he had rallied for Senator Darline Graham. A reporter asked whether the 80-year-old president was sick of travelling. Trump answered sharply, telling the reporter the question was sick and that he feels perfect.
His remarks came after weeks of heavy campaigning. Since 1 October, Trump has held 25 rallies in 19 states, often in rural areas of Republican-friendly states. He is the oldest elected president in US history, and his speeches have regularly run for more than an hour.
Also Read: Netanyahu Bloc Falls Short of Majority as Fraud Claims Spread
He has acknowledged the strain himself. Sounding hoarse in Mississippi on Monday, he said human vocal cords were not made for a rally every day.
The pace reflects what is at stake on 3 November, when the midterms will decide whether Republicans keep their narrow control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Trump has urged the party to behave as though he is on the ballot to maximise turnout, despite his poor approval ratings.
The president is still expected to appear at rallies in several states before Tuesday, with his final in-person event now scheduled for Florida on Friday.
Trump said, “I feel perfect.”
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
