Trump Replaces Iowa and Kansas Rallies With Remote Events
President Donald Trump has called off planned campaign rallies in Iowa and Kansas. Instead of appearing before crowds in those states, he plans to speak with voters through remote events.
The rallies were part of a campaign push meant to help Republican candidates in close races. Trump had said he would visit 35 places around the country to encourage people to vote for Republicans. He has often argued that his rallies help those candidates and can improve their standing in important states.
Kansas Race Remains Close
Trump said he did not believe he needed to travel to Kansas. He said Republican Sen. Roger Marshall was doing well in his race against Democrat Adam Hamilton.
The contest has become more competitive as concerns about the high cost of the war in Iran affect voters. Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in nearly 100 years, but the race is now considered close.
Trump has held 25 rallies over the past month. He has acknowledged that such a busy schedule can be difficult. At one event, he said that speaking at a rally every day was hard on his voice. Later, he said he felt “perfect” and rejected the idea that his health played a role in canceling the Kansas event.
When a reporter asked whether his health was connected to the change, Trump criticized the reporter’s appearance and fitness. He said he felt fine.
Iowa Campaigners Wanted an In-Person Visit
The Iowa rally was also called off after Trump’s exchange with the reporter. It had been planned for Dubuque, in the state’s closely watched 2nd Congressional District.
Most of Iowa’s congressional races are competitive. Some Republican campaign workers said a remote event could still help bring supporters to the polls, but that an in-person appearance would have had a stronger effect. Another Republican campaign worker said the president’s visit would have been welcome, while also describing Iowa as being in good shape for Republicans.
The Republican National Committee said the change was intended to give Trump more chances to speak with voters across the country. Two White House officials said he hopes to hold more than 20 remote campaign events before Election Day.
Florida Event Still Planned
Trump still planned to appear in Daytona Beach, Florida, to campaign for Republican Rep. Randy Fine and Sen. Ashley Moody. Their races were rated as strongly Republican by a nonpartisan election forecaster.
No campaign events had been announced for the following Monday. The shift to remote events allows Trump to reach voters without traveling to each rally site, while Republican campaigners in Iowa had said that a visit in person could have provided extra help in a close district.
- The Iowa and Kansas rallies were canceled.
- Trump plans to use remote events to speak with voters.
- The Kansas Senate race between Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton is considered close.
- A Florida campaign event remained on Trump’s schedule.