Trump Reverses Course to Rally in Red States as Midterm Panic Grips GOP

Key points

• Trump will hold rallies in Salina, Kansas, and Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, reversing a cancellation announced just a day earlier. The change follows polls showing Senator Roger Marshall trailing his Democratic opponent in Kansas and tight races in Iowa, where Trump won by 13 points in 2024.
• The Justice Department issued federal grand jury subpoenas to California election officials, expanding an investigation into claims of noncitizen voting. Unions representing election workers sued the department, calling the threats 'unprecedented and unlawful' and seeking a temporary restraining order to protect ballot counting.
• In Alaska, the Justice Department issued dozens of subpoenas linked to a Democratic effort to recruit a candidate named Dan J. Sullivan to split votes from incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan. Candidate Mary Peltola denied knowledge of the plan, contradicting her former campaign manager. A federal judge may rule on a DOJ lawsuit to block certification of results as early as Saturday.
• Mike Bloomberg donated an additional $36 million to Democratic midterm efforts, including $16 million to House Majority PAC. This follows an estimated $80 million in donations earlier in October. Elon Musk warned that a Democratic trifecta would end democracy, while Reid Hoffman donated $16.5 million to support the Texas Senate race.
• Pope Leo XIV voted by mail in the Illinois midterm election, potentially the first pope to vote in a U.S. national election. Former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris are scheduled to campaign in Mississippi and Georgia, respectively, as Democrats push to flip House seats.

Background

Recent coverage highlighted Trump's initial pivot to virtual telerallies across nearly 20 states to maximize reach amid tightening races in red states. This strategic shift followed a month of intense campaigning and declining approval ratings, with the White House citing efficiency over physical presence. Earlier reports noted that Trump had reversed his opposition to mail-in voting, urging supporters to vote early, a stark contrast to his previous stance. The current reversal to in-person rallies in Kansas and Iowa suggests a renewed focus on morale-boosting events in competitive districts where Republicans are facing unexpected challenges.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times emphasizes the sharp reversal of Trump's schedule as a sign of Republican anxiety in red states, noting that polls show Democrats running strong races in Kansas and Iowa. CNN highlights the legal battles in Alaska and California, framing the Justice Department's actions as an aggressive intervention in state election administration, while also noting the economic anxiety driving voter behavior. The Guardian focuses on the initial cancellation of rallies as a strategic shift to virtual events, contrasting it with the subsequent reversal, and notes the broader context of tight races in multiple states. All sources agree on the intensity of the final days of the campaign but differ in emphasis: The Times and CNN focus on legal and financial maneuvers, while The Guardian highlights the logistical shifts in Trump's campaign strategy.

Why it matters

The reversal of Trump's rally plans signals a critical moment in the midterm elections, where Republicans are facing unexpected challenges in traditionally safe states. The legal battles in California and Alaska could impact the certification of results and the administration of the election, potentially influencing the outcome of key Senate races. The surge in Democratic funding and early voting suggests a competitive race for control of Congress, with inflation and cost of living playing a central role in voter decision-making.

What to watch

A federal judge may rule on the Justice Department's lawsuit to block certification of Alaska's Senate results as early as Saturday. The union lawsuit in California seeks a temporary restraining order to protect ballot counting. Trump's rallies in Kansas and Iowa will take place on Sunday, followed by a trip to Florida for another rally. The midterm elections are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, with early voting continuing in several states.