Key facts
- Donald Trump is undertaking a 32-day campaign blitz for the US midterm elections.
- Trump's approval rating on the cost of living is 17%, and on the economy is 26%.
- Political strategist Steve Schmidt described Trump's rallies as a potential "engine of his doom".
- Trump expressed concern about Republican prospects in Michigan and Texas.
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated that Trump's convention in Dallas "dropped our numbers".
- Trump's early campaign schedule includes rallies in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio, and Nebraska.
Donald Trump has commenced a 32-day campaign tour aimed at bolstering Republican chances in the upcoming November 3 midterm elections. His stop in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday is part of a strategy to energize voters in Republican-friendly states and make himself the central messenger for a party facing concerns about his political standing.
Trump has urged Republicans to view the midterms as a referendum on his administration and economic record, emphasizing new investment and manufacturing. However, his party confronts a difficult national polling environment, with a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showing his approval rating had fallen to a career-low 32%, and approval among Republicans dropping to 73% from 82% a week earlier. Reuters polling also indicates that opponents are competitive in states Trump won by double digits in 2024, including Nebraska, where public polling shows a competitive contest for the Senate seat between Republican Senator Pete Ricketts and independent Dan Osborn.
Political strategist Steve Schmidt expressed apprehension, suggesting Trump's rallies could be a "lead weight" for the Republican party. Despite this, supporters like rally regular Blake Marnell argue that turnout is crucial and Trump's events effectively mobilize the base. Trump himself has acknowledged the precarious position of the Republican party, urging attendees to contact friends and family and expressing worry about key states like Michigan and Texas. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton admitted in a secret audio recording that Trump's convention in Dallas negatively impacted Republican numbers.
Recent polling indicates low approval for Trump's handling of the economy and cost of living. He has largely dismissed these concerns, blaming President Joe Biden and lamenting his inability to "get the word out" about his administration's perceived successes. Pollster John Zogby commented that Trump appears out of touch with average Americans, and his rally performances have become rambling and disconnected from voters' immediate anxieties. Trump also publicly shared Republican Senator Tom Cotton's cellphone number as the two sparred over the issue of permanent daylight saving time, which Trump supports.