Trump campaigns in Republican strongholds a month before midterms
In short
With about a month left before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, President Trump is rallying in reliably Republican states — including Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama — instead of the battleground districts that will decide control of Congress. At a Thursday rally in Durant, Oklahoma, he urged supporters to vote for Republican candidates, saying the future of his “America First” agenda depends on it. CBS News and NBC News cited polling showing frustration over the economy and disapproval of Trump's job performance.
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With about a month left before the midterm elections, President Trump is campaigning in reliably Republican states — including Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama — rather than in the districts that will decide which party controls Congress, the Los Angeles Times reported. At a rally in Durant, Oklahoma, on Thursday, Trump told the crowd to imagine his name on the ballot and urged them to vote for Republican candidates, including Senate candidates Ken Paxton of Texas and Kevin Hern of Oklahoma. “You have to get out and vote,” he said. “You can't assume they are going to win.” [ 1 , 2 ]
The Los Angeles Times reported the itinerary is a departure from what Trump promised at a Rose Garden dinner with Republican lawmakers last month, when he pledged to campaign in the country's 35 most competitive districts. The paper said the president is proving to be a political liability in many of those races as his approval dwindles, even among Republicans. It added that Paxton, locked in a tight race against Democrat James Talarico, lamented that Trump's GOP convention in Dallas hurt him, according to a recording obtained by the New York Times. [ 1 ]
Bloomberg reported that the campaign stops in traditionally Republican states such as Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas reflect competitive races and an effort to bolster GOP support as economic concerns weigh on the party. Its senior White House reporter, Josh Wingrove, discussed the stops on Bloomberg This Weekend. [ 2 ]
CBS News reported that many Americans say they are frustrated with the economy in recent polling, and that Trump is campaigning in reliably red states as the November elections draw near. NBC News reported that with just a month to go, Trump is on the trail to support Republican candidates in key races, as polling shows growing disapproval of his overall job performance, the war with Iran and his handling of the economy. [ 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The Los Angeles Times reported the red-state itinerary departs from Trump's pledge to campaign in the country's 35 most competitive districts, and outlets tie the schedule to economic concerns and falling approval. How the strategy affects tight races could shape which party controls Congress after Nov. 3.
Key facts
- President Trump is campaigning in reliably Republican states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama, ahead of the midterm elections. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Trump held a rally in Durant, Oklahoma, on Thursday and urged the crowd to vote for Republican candidates such as Senate candidates Ken Paxton of Texas and Kevin Hern of Oklahoma. [ 1 ]
- The Los Angeles Times reported that Trump had pledged at a Rose Garden dinner last month to campaign in the country's 35 most competitive districts. [ 1 ]
- Bloomberg reported the red-state stops reflect competitive races and an effort to bolster GOP support as economic concerns weigh on the party. [ 2 ]
- CBS News and NBC News cited polling showing frustration with the economy and growing disapproval of Trump's job performance. [ 3 , 4 ]
- NBC News also listed the war with Iran and Trump's handling of the economy among the areas where polling shows disapproval. [ 4 ]
- The Los Angeles Times said Paxton, in a tight race against Democrat James Talarico, lamented that Trump's GOP convention in Dallas hurt him, citing a recording obtained by the New York Times. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Trump is campaigning in Republican-leaning states including Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama before the midterm elections. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The midterm elections are about a month away. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Polling cited in the coverage points to economic concerns and disapproval of Trump's handling of the economy. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Trump's approval has fallen even among Republicans, and whether he is a political liability in competitive races. Stated only by the Los Angeles Times, which attributes the Paxton account to a recording obtained by another outlet.
- Whether the red-state campaign schedule will change the outcome of specific races. The documents describe the strategy and the polling but give no assessment of its effect on results.
- The exact date and time of the Durant rally. The Los Angeles Times describes it only as taking place on Thursday.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Los Angeles Times publishes a report on Trump's red-state campaign itinerary and his rally in Durant, Oklahoma. [ 1 ]
- Bloomberg reports that the red-state stops reflect competitive races and economic concerns weighing on the GOP. [ 2 ]
- CBS News reports on Trump's campaigning in red states and recent polling on economic frustration. [ 3 ]
- NBC News reports on the campaign push and polling disapproval of Trump's job performance, the war with Iran and the economy. [ 4 ]