President Donald Trump canceled his planned Sunday rally in Iowa on Thursday, October 30, swapping in-person events in Iowa and Kansas for a phone-based blitz that the Republican National Committee says will reach voters in nearly 20 states during the final 72 hours of the midterm campaign.
The RNC announced the change Thursday evening, describing the plan as a “72-hour sprint” of telerallies that the party said would let Trump speak to far more voters nationwide than a handful of stadium stops could. The move comes with control of Congress on the line and tight contests in Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Ohio and Alaska, according to CBS News.
Why the Schedule Changed
Trump had been scheduled to rally in Kansas on Saturday and in Iowa on Sunday. He had promised to grind through rally after rally through Election Day, and he completed 25 rallies during October, short of a goal he once set above 30.
The pace has been visible. His voice has grown raspy after weeks of speeches that often run past 90 minutes. On Monday in Corinth, Mississippi, he told the crowd, “God didn't make your vocal cords to do a rally every day.”
When a reporter asked Thursday whether the Kansas cancellation was tied to his health, Trump pushed back hard.
“You've been following me for two weeks. I feel perfect,” Trump snapped.
The Associated Press reported that the RNC framed the switch as a way to maximize Trump's reach, with telerallies planned for nearly 20 states and more possible. At a telerally, Trump is expected to speak for roughly 10 minutes rather than the 90-plus he delivers in person.
Trump still plans to travel to Daytona Beach, Florida, for a rally Friday. The White House has not published his schedule for Monday, the final day of the campaign, and it remains unclear whether more in-person events will follow.
What It Means for Iowa Republicans
The canceled Sunday stop deprives Iowa GOP candidates of a marquee visit in the campaign's closing stretch, but the telerally format could still put the president's voice in front of Iowa voters. Republicans are navigating narrow contests in Iowa and several other states, and both parties are pouring money into the final days.
Trump projected confidence as he returned to the White House on Thursday.
“We're going to have a strong Tuesday night,” he said.
A person familiar with Trump's operation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal strategy, said the team is bullish on Kansas, where Democrat Adam Hamilton is challenging Republican Sen. Roger Marshall. Trump himself said he did not believe the trip was necessary.
“I don't feel I have to go to Kansas,” Trump said.
A Republican Senate campaign strategist, also speaking anonymously about private conversations, said there is widespread curiosity within the party about why the schedule flipped to telerallies.
South Carolina Steals the Spotlight
Trump traveled to South Carolina on Thursday for the second time in a month, a sign of Republican concern about appointed Sen. Darline Graham's race against Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician making her second bid for federal office.
Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was appointed in July by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster to finish her brother's term after his sudden death and became the party's nominee in August. South Carolina has not sent a Democrat to the Senate in nearly three decades, but Andrews is telling voters frustrated by the economy, gas prices and the war in Iran to “try something new for once.”
Trump praised Lindsey Graham as “a great politician” and promoted his sister as his successor.
“She's got the gene,” Trump said.
Graham credited the president with having “delivered what Washington promised for decades” and warned that Andrews “would just throw it all away.” Andrews, appearing in Fort Mill on Wednesday, told voters they could hold her accountable: “you can fire me in six years.”
Rep. Ralph Norman, who lost the primary runoff to Graham and has refused to campaign with her, has criticized her as unqualified and said the race would not be this close had he been the nominee.
Democrats Smell an Opening
Democrats are increasingly optimistic about unseating GOP incumbents, pointing to voter frustration over high costs. In Ohio, Democratic Senate nominee Sherrod Brown is running against Republican Sen. Jon Husted.
“Families see more money going out the door and not enough money coming in,” Brown said at a Toledo rally Thursday, adding that Husted is “looking out for data centers and Wall Street.”
Election Integrity Fights Escalate
In Alaska, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy's administration ordered an investigation after The New York Times reported Wednesday that the campaign of Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola appeared to be involved in recruiting another candidate with the same name as Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan. The Justice Department escalated the matter Thursday with a wave of new grand jury subpoenas, a person familiar with the situation told the AP.
Trump called the Alaska development a “conspiracy” and said Peltola should be removed from the ballot, casting doubt on whether she would be seated if she won. Peltola, a former congresswoman, called the report a “distraction” from issues like Sullivan's support of the war in Iran during a stop in Soldotna.
In California, the Justice Department issued subpoenas to state officials as part of its scrutiny of local election administration. A federal judge appointed a special master earlier Thursday to evaluate the Trump administration's claim that roughly 20,000 noncitizens remain on California's voter rolls, U.S. News reported.
What Happens Next
With Election Day Tuesday, both campaigns are making final decisions about where to spend time and money. For Iowa Republicans, the president's voice will now arrive by phone rather than in person, and the state's down-ballot candidates will close out their own races without a Sunday stadium crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Trump cancel his Iowa rally?
The RNC said the president will use telerallies to reach voters in nearly 20 states more efficiently than in-person stops in Iowa and Kansas would allow. Trump rejected any suggestion the change was health related, saying, “I feel perfect.”
Will Trump hold any more in-person rallies before Election Day?
He plans a Friday rally in Daytona Beach, Florida. The White House has not released his schedule for Monday, and it is unclear whether additional in-person events are planned.
How many rallies did Trump hold in October?
Trump held 25 rallies during October, short of a goal he once placed above 30, according to CBS News.