Midterm Finale: Trump Holds Final Rallies Before Nov. 3

President Donald Trump will hold two in-person rallies on Sunday in Iowa and Kansas, a schedule that fluctuated over a single day as the campaign entered its final stretch. The Republican National Committee initially announced on Thursday that the events would be replaced by tele-rallies to reach supporters more efficiently. Less than 24 hours later, the party reversed the decision, confirming that the president would appear in person in both states on Sunday.

This decision follows a month of intensive campaigning. Trump held more than 25 rallies in October, primarily in red states where Republican candidates face stiff competition. His recent appearances have been designed to boost specific Senate candidates he personally selected, including Darline Graham in South Carolina and Michael Whatley in North Carolina. The strategy aims to transfer the president's popularity to these nominees before the November 3 vote.

During a speech in Lubbock, Texas, Trump emphasized economic themes central to his platform. He referred to tariffs as his favorite word, a phrase he later revised to his fifth favorite. He claimed the policy has made the nation rich. In Greenville, North Carolina, he asked voters to pretend he was on the ballot, arguing that the opposing party seeks to reverse his tax cuts and border policies.

The rallies have featured a mix of long-standing talking points and new material. Trump repeatedly referenced Ohio Senator Jon Husted, joking that he studied the senator's physique to assess his appeal. He claimed this anecdote helped Husted gain 12 points in the polls, a statement the president made despite conflicting data. He extended the joke to Texas Senator Ken Paxton, questioning whether Paxton's body would qualify for the same treatment.

A new financial promise, the $5,000 Trump dividend, serves as a closing argument for the campaign. The payment is contingent on Republicans winning both the House and the Senate. Trump described the benefit with a self-deprecating joke about the cost of a hamburger at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida resort. He noted that the resort is not ideal for cost-conscious visitors, a remark that resonated with a base that values affordability.

Attendees described the events as a farewell tour. Blake Marnell, a San Diego resident known for wearing a suit resembling a wall, traveled to Greenville for the rally. He took October off work to attend numerous events. Cindy New, from Emerald Isle, North Carolina, said she had never seen Trump live before and attended to catch him while he was still active in politics. She described her visit as a one-time event.

Trump acknowledged the physical toll of the schedule. He stated his voice was operating at about 49.2% capacity after 28 days of consecutive campaigning. In Daytona Beach, Florida, he expressed exhaustion from the relentless pace. He told supporters that he had thought the campaign would be over and that he could relax, but the need to secure a victory on November 3 kept him on the road.

The president framed the final days as a unique historical moment. He told a crowd in Corpus Christi, Texas, that the group had been working together for 11 years. He suggested that political movements of this nature are rare. He urged the crowd to win on November 3, citing the collective effort of the past decade.