Trump Adds Iowa and Kansas Stops to Midterm Campaign Schedule

President Donald Trump will hold campaign rallies in Iowa and Kansas this Sunday, reversing a decision to cancel the events. The schedule change places the president in two states with critical Senate races just five days before Election Day. A person familiar with the plans said the rallies had been previously canceled but were restored to accommodate new telerallies added to the itinerary.

The move comes as early voting numbers surge nationwide. According to an Associated Press analysis, nearly 10 million more Americans cast ballots by this point than in 2022. Turnout increases are especially strong in competitive states. In Iowa and Kansas, early voting is up roughly 30% compared to the same period four years ago. Texas has seen a 50% increase, with more than 6.3 million voters participating early. South Carolina, where voters choose a successor to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, reports an 83% increase in advance voting.

Trump initially canceled the Kansas stop after returning from South Carolina on Thursday. He pushed back against reports that fatigue or health issues influenced the change. Speaking to a reporter, the president said, “I’m not going to Kansas because he’s doing very well,” referring to Sen. Roger Marshall. He added that he feels perfect and does not feel he has to go to the state. The Republican National Committee initially planned for Trump to conduct phone rallies instead of in-person events to reach a wider audience.

The Iowa rally will be held in Cedar Rapids rather than the previously announced location of Dubuque. The Kansas rally remains scheduled for Salina. Both states feature battleground Senate contests that will determine if Republicans keep their narrow majority in the chamber. Trump visited both states earlier this month to support Marshall and Iowa Senate candidate Ashley Hinson, who currently serves in the House.

In a Friday interview with a Kansas City radio station, Trump called Marshall fantastic. He credited the senator for pushing administration policies that benefit Kansas farmers, such as expanding tax-free use of red-dyed diesel. Trump criticized Marshall’s Democratic challenger, Adam Hamilton, as a radical who caused turmoil in the church. Hamilton, a Methodist pastor, responded that Marshall would call Jesus woke if the religious figure stood before them today.

Both parties believe the high volume of early voting favors their side. Democrats have focused campaigns on affordability and presidential unpopularity. Republicans have expressed concern that voter dissatisfaction might suppress their turnout. The election has become largely defined by these economic issues as the final days of campaigning unfold.