Trump Leans on Rallies to Lift Republicans Before Midterms

Trump has held near-daily rallies during the final month of the campaign, urging supporters to treat him as if he were on the ballot. Republicans are defending their majorities in the House and Senate, and the president has said his events are helping shift momentum and enthusiasm in their favor.

White House and Republican National Committee officials have pointed to early-voting data and what they describe as encouraging signs, while acknowledging that Republicans have a difficult path and more work to do. Trump has used campaign stops to promote his administration’s economic and energy policies and other claimed accomplishments, and to warn voters against Democratic policies.

The push comes as voters express concern about household finances and everyday expenses. Three out of four or more people surveyed in an October poll from the Associated Press and NORC said they disapproved of Trump’s performance on those matters. His approval rating has also averaged below 40 percent in recent surveys, while races in states including Texas, Ohio and South Carolina have appeared competitive.

Trump and administration officials have dismissed public polling as inaccurate or overly pessimistic. A Republican strategist, however, argued that Trump’s support is concentrated among his base and questioned whether that enthusiasm would be enough to help the party. A former Trump campaign official said the White House appeared concerned about the prospect of losing both chambers.

Trump remains confident Republicans can win, and his campaign message is expected to continue focusing on economic and energy issues and his administration’s record as Election Day approaches.

Trump’s Rally Blitz Can’t Erase Voter Anger Over Costs

Trump is racing through Republican-led states with near-daily rallies, trying to turn his personal following into votes for a party facing the prospect of losing control of Congress. His message asks supporters to treat him as if he were on the ballot, but voters are judging household finances and everyday expenses on their own terms.

Three out of four or more people surveyed in an October poll from the Associated Press and NORC said they disapproved of Trump’s handling of those issues. His approval rating has stayed under 40 percent on average across recent polling, and races in Texas, Ohio and South Carolina have been tight despite repeated campaign stops in those states.

Trump and administration officials tout economic and energy policies and other claimed accomplishments, while brushing aside public polling as unreliable. That confidence is not shared by every Republican: a strategist said the president’s enthusiasm is largely concentrated among his base and questioned whether it can overcome broader discontent.

Republican officials say early-vote data offer positive signs, but acknowledge the party has a tougher path. A former Trump campaign official described the White House as uneasy about potentially losing both chambers. The stakes are clear: rallies and claims of momentum cannot substitute for voters’ verdict on the economy when ballots are counted.

Trump’s Midterm Push Gives Republicans a Turnout Advantage

With midterms approaching, Trump is doing what Republican officials say the party needs: taking his message directly to voters and energizing supporters who are less likely to vote in non-presidential elections. His near-daily rallies are aimed at helping Republicans hold the House and Senate, and he says they have shifted momentum.

Republican officials cite encouraging early-vote signs and describe excitement building on the ground. Trump is asking voters to connect their congressional choices with his administration’s record, highlighting economic and energy policies and other claimed accomplishments while warning against Democratic alternatives.

The president’s campaign effort comes despite polls showing dissatisfaction with his management of household finances and everyday expenses. Three out of four or more people surveyed in an October poll from the Associated Press and NORC said they disapproved of his performance on those issues, and recent surveys show tight races in states such as Texas, Ohio and South Carolina.

Trump and administration officials dispute the public polling, arguing it does not reflect the races accurately. A Republican strategist has countered that the enthusiasm is mostly within Trump’s base, while a former campaign official has described concern about losing both chambers. But Republican officials say the president can help bring that base to the polls—and that turnout, not the most pessimistic forecasts, will determine the result.