Trump holds final midweek rallies as GOP faces tight races

President Trump held more than 25 rallies in October, the final push of his midterm campaign tour. He spoke in red states where Republican candidates face tough competition. The events were scheduled to help specific Senate races in South Carolina and North Carolina.

The campaign targeted two independent-minded or struggling candidates. Darline Graham runs for Senate in South Carolina. Michael Whatley runs for Senate in North Carolina. Trump selected both candidates personally. He told crowds in Greenville, North Carolina, that voters should pretend he is on the ballot. He argued that Democrats want to undo his tax cuts and border policies.

Trump’s speeches focused on economic policies and personal anecdotes. He frequently mentioned tariffs, calling the word his favorite. He joked about Ohio Senator Jon Husted’s physical appearance. Trump claimed Husted gained 12 points in the polls after he made the comment. He also commented on the looks of Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton.

The president promised a $5,000 dividend to adults if Republicans win both chambers of Congress. He made a joke about the spending power of that money at his Mar-a-Lago resort. He told the crowd that $5,000 might only buy a hamburger and a small dessert. He noted that the resort is not a place for the cost-conscious.

Fans traveled from across the country to see the president. Blake Marnell, a dedicated supporter from San Diego, spent October attending multiple rallies. He is known for wearing a suit that resembles a brick wall. Trump has called him Mr. Wall. Marnell said he took the entire month off work to travel from event to event.

Cindy New from Emerald Isle, North Carolina, attended the Greenville rally. She had never seen Trump in person before. She voted for him in three previous elections. She said she wanted to see him before the chance passed. She described her attendance as a one-time event.

The schedule changed just days before the final weekend. The Republican National Committee announced that two in-person rallies in Iowa and Kansas would become tele-rallies. Less than 24 hours later, the party reversed the decision. Both in-person rallies were rescheduled for Sunday. A source familiar with the change said Trump loves his supporters.

Trump spoke for nearly two hours in Daytona Beach, Florida. He described the last 28 days as a lot of work. He joked that his voice was operating at about 49.2%. He closed the rally by telling the crowd to win on November 3. He said they have been doing this together for 11 years and that the moment is unique.