U.S. President Donald Trump has
concluded the final weekend of his midterm election campaign with rallies in
Kansas and Iowa, as Republicans face growing pressure to retain control of
Congress ahead of Tuesday’s elections.
Trump addressed supporters in
Salina, Kansas, and Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, urging voters to support
Republican candidates and defend the party’s majorities in the Senate and House
of Representatives.
During his rally in Iowa, Trump
expressed confidence that Republicans would secure victories across the country,
calling on voters to elect what he described as “America First” candidates.
“We’re going to elect ‘America
First’ Republicans up and down the line,” Trump told supporters.
The president has travelled
extensively across the United States since October 1, holding more than two
dozen rallies in 19 states as he seeks to mobilise Republican voters ahead of
the elections.
His campaign appearances have
largely focused on states he previously won comfortably, including Iowa and
Kansas, where Republican candidates are facing competitive challenges from
Democrats.
More than 54 million Americans had
already cast their ballots before Election Day, making the midterm elections an
important test of public support for Trump's second-term administration.
Economic concerns, particularly
rising living costs and the impact of tariffs, have become major issues in the
campaign. Trump's decision to impose tariffs and launch the war in Iran has
also contributed to growing political debate over his administration's
policies.
Meanwhile, Democrats are facing
internal disagreements that could complicate their efforts to regain control of
the Senate.
In Michigan, Democratic
Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers
after a disagreement with the party's Senate nominee, Abdul El-Sayed.
Stevens, who previously competed
against El-Sayed in the Democratic primary, said she decided to support Rogers
after an invitation to a Democratic campaign event was withdrawn.
The endorsement prompted senior
Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten
Gillibrand, to publicly reaffirm their support for El-Sayed.
Senator Bernie Sanders also
dismissed concerns about divisions within the party, saying Democrats across
Michigan remained committed to supporting their nominee.
Michigan is considered an important
state in the Democratic Party's effort to regain control of the Senate. Losing
the seat would increase pressure on Democrats to compete in traditionally
Republican states, including Texas, Kansas, Ohio and Iowa.
On the Republican side, some party
members have expressed concerns about the potential impact of Trump's economic
policies on election results.
Republican Representative Don Bacon
of Nebraska warned that tariffs were unpopular among voters in the Midwest and
could become a major issue for the party after the elections.
However, Senator Tim Scott of South
Carolina, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, expressed
confidence that Republicans would maintain control of the Senate.
Trump is expected to deliver his
final campaign message on Monday in Washington, marking the end of an extensive
campaign effort aimed at securing Republican victories.
The elections will provide a
significant indication of how Americans view Trump's second term and whether
Republicans can maintain their influence in Congress as his administration
continues pursuing its political agenda.
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