President Donald Trump is scrapping two of his last midterm rallies ahead of the 3 November elections, the Republican Party said, after he lashed out at a reporter who asked if he was tired of travelling. The RNC said the planned Kansas and Iowa events would no longer take place as scheduled, with Republicans in a strong position in both states; Trump’s final election rally is set to be in Florida on Friday.
The Republican National Committee said the previously planned rallies would no longer take place as scheduled, to be replaced by a 'large number' of virtual 'telerallies' across several states. The decision comes as Republicans fight to keep control of Congress, with Trump urging the party to 'pretend I'm on the ballot' to maximise turnout despite poor approval ratings.
The president reacted angrily on his return to Washington from a campaign trip to South Carolina when asked if the Kansas cancellation was because he was sick of travelling. 'You are sick to ask that question. You are sick,' Trump told the reporter. 'I feel perfect. You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape, you look like hell.'
Analysis
Why This Matters
- A last-minute shift to virtual events marks a significant tactical change in the closing days of the midterm campaign.
- The president's sharp personal confrontation with a reporter highlights the strained atmosphere of the final week before the election.
- The outcome of the 3 November elections will determine which party controls Congress for the remainder of Trump's term.
Background
The US midterm elections are scheduled for 3 November 2026. Republicans are fighting to maintain their majority in Congress. Despite poor approval ratings, President Trump has kept up a schedule of near-daily rallies throughout October.
What to Watch
- The final rally in Florida on Friday and whether it proceeds without further changes.
- The effectiveness of the new virtual telerallies in driving voter turnout compared to in-person events.
- The final results of the midterm elections and the immediate political consequences for the Republican Party.
Checked
8 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedTrump is scrapping two of his last midterm rallies in Kansas and Iowa.RTÉ News: “US President Donald Trump is scrapping two of his last midterm election rallies, his Republican Party has said”
- SupportedTrump lashed out at a reporter who asked if he was tired of travelling.RTÉ News: “as the 80-year-old leader lashed out at a reporter who asked if he was tired of travelling.”
- Partly supportedTrump is scrapping the rallies after lashing out at the reporter.RTÉ News: “Donald Trump is scrapping two of his last midterm election rallies, his Republican Party has said, as the 80-year-old leader lashed out at a reporter”
- SupportedThe RNC says Trump will hold a large number of virtual telerallies in a series of states instead of the Kansas and Iowa events.RTÉ News: “Instead of the events in Kansas and Iowa, Mr Trump will hold a "large number" of virtual "telerallies" in a series of states, the Republican National Committee (RNC) said.”
- SupportedThe RNC said the planned Kansas and Iowa rallies would no longer take place as scheduled because Republicans are in a strong position in both states.RTÉ News: “"With Republicans in a strong position in Kansas and Iowa, previously planned in-person rallies in those states will no longer take place as scheduled," the RNC statement said.”
- SupportedTrump's final election rally is set to be in Florida on Friday.RTÉ News: “Mr Trump's final election rally is now set to be in Florida on Friday.”
- Partly supportedTrump told the reporter, “You are sick to ask that question. You are sick.”RTÉ News: “"You're sick to ask that question. You are sick," Mr Trump told the reporter”
- SupportedTrump said, “I feel perfect. You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape, you look like hell.”RTÉ News: “"I feel perfect. You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape, you look like hell," he added.”