President Donald Trump is intensifying his campaign efforts ahead of the November midterm elections with a series of near-daily rallies aimed at energizing Republican voters as the party seeks to maintain control of Congress. Throughout his 90-minute addresses, Trump has highlighted economic accomplishments, criticized opponents, and, at times, made unconventional comments about fellow Republicans.
Trump has sought to defend his economic record by emphasizing low poverty rates, historically low unemployment, strong stock market performance, and some reductions in food prices. However, his message has met skepticism from voters grappling with high living costs, particularly soaring gasoline prices, which averaged $4.27 per gallon nationwide in September—nearly 40% higher than the previous year. At a rally in rural Kansas, supporter Chester Daniel, a 90-year-old military veteran, acknowledged the economy’s recovery but said prices remain too high and expressed concern about the financial burdens on younger families. Trump has repeatedly asserted that fuel costs will drop once the ongoing conflict involving Iran subsides.
Trump’s extensive schedule has focused heavily on states and districts traditionally considered Republican strongholds, signaling challenges for the party in retaining Senate seats. His campaign stops include Texas, Kansas, Ohio, Alaska, Iowa, Montana, South Carolina, and an upcoming visit to Mississippi. Notably, he has made multiple appearances supporting Republican Senate candidates such as Ken Paxton in Texas, Roger Marshall in Kansas, and Jon Husted in Ohio, all of whom face unexpectedly tight races. Paxton trails Democrat James Talarico in polls, Marshall is challenged by Democrat Adam Hamilton in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate in nearly a century, and Husted is behind former Senator Sherrod Brown in Ohio. Trump is expected to visit additional battleground states including Michigan and Maine in the final weeks before the election.
The former president has frequently touted the size of his campaign crowds as evidence of his sustained popularity, though footage and reports suggest turnout has been inconsistent. At some rallies, venues reached capacity, but claims of extensive overflow and thousands gathered outside have not always been substantiated. Despite these mixed appearances, Trump maintains that his support remains strong even as his approval rating recently hit 31%, the lowest of his presidential terms, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Trump has incorporated foreign policy themes into his speeches by highlighting recent unrest in France as a cautionary tale of potential domestic instability should Democrats prevail. He has linked the protests to immigration and religious issues, a narrative often used in his politics. At the same time, he has downplayed the ongoing conflicts involving Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war against Iran, emphasizing that these situations will resolve in due course. Despite this, his administration’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports in an effort to lower fuel prices has drawn criticism, including from some Republicans, who see it as favoring Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict.
On the campaign trail, Trump has occasionally made remarks focusing on the physical appearance of politicians, including Republican Senate candidate Jon Husted and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his secretary of Health and Human Services, which have drawn attention for their unorthodox tone.
The broader political context includes uncertainty over the midterms, with Democrats widely projected to gain control of the House and potentially the Senate. A shift in legislative power could complicate Trump’s policy agenda during the remaining two years of his presidency. However, experts note that presidents often act with greater autonomy in foreign policy during the so-called lame-duck period after midterm elections, when electoral constraints lessen.
White House spokesman Matt Middleton defended Trump’s economic policies and handling of the Iran conflict, arguing that disruptions are temporary and emphasizing contrasts with Democratic alternatives. Meanwhile, assessments from public opinion surveys indicate that while foreign policy is not the top voter concern, many Americans link rising costs to recent international actions initiated under Trump’s administration.
As the election approaches, the outcome will likely influence both the domestic political landscape and the extent to which the president pursues a robust or restrained foreign policy in the final years of his term.