US President Donald Trump concluded his midterm campaign push on Sunday with rallies in Iowa and Kansas, as Democratic divisions in Michigan threaten to undermine the party’s bid to recapture the Senate.
The president appeared in Salina, Kansas, and Dubuque, Iowa—states where Republicans face competitive contests against Democratic challengers.
In Iowa, however, Trump asserted that Republicans are on the cusp of sweeping victories. “We’re going to elect ‘America first’ Republicans up and down the line,” he declared early in a two‑hour speech.
Trump then traveled to Kansas, where Air Force One flew over an enthusiastic crowd before landing at Salina Airport for an outdoor rally.
Again, the president delivered a lengthy address—lasting roughly 90 minutes—during which hundreds of supporters left before the conclusion.
“This is our final stop. We’re closing it down tonight,” Trump said, noting he had conducted more than two dozen rallies across 19 states since early October.
With over 54 million votes already cast, Tuesday’s election is viewed as a referendum on Trump’s second term in office.
Trump’s approval rating has slipped to a new low in his second term, reflecting mounting public dissatisfaction with his domestic policies, trade tariffs and his decision to initiate a conflict with Iran.
The campaign strategy has shifted. In 2024 the Republican Party focused on flipping states won by Democrat Joe Biden in 2020; this year Trump is concentrating on states where he previously dominated.
The ballot includes all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate. Republicans currently hold a narrow 219‑214 edge in the House and a 53‑47 advantage in the Senate.
Polls show Democrats are well positioned to regain control of the House and have a realistic chance of securing a Senate majority.
Winning the House would give Democrats control of the federal budget, the power to block legislation and greater authority to investigate the Trump administration.
Divisions in Michigan
In Michigan, Democratic congresswoman Haley Stevens broke party ranks by endorsing Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers instead of supporting her party’s nominee.
Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to progressive Abdul El‑Sayed, said she would back Rogers in the general election.
“This is a very tight race, we all know that, but Abdul made it clear I was not welcome in his campaign,” she told reporters while announcing the endorsement.
Trump praised Stevens for the crossover endorsement and invited her to join the Republican Party. “I don’t know Haley, I’ve never met her, but she said what few people are willing to say,” he remarked.
At his campaign events, Trump also attacked El‑Sayed, employing Islamophobic language and labeling him a “jihadist.”
“Can you imagine, we’ll have to put him through metal detectors…,” Trump commented.
El‑Sayed, whose national profile has risen, is a vocal critic of the US‑Israel alliance and has called for an end to American arms sales to Israel.
“At the end of the day, I don’t think about Haley Stevens. I think about the 9,999,998 people who are not those two,” he said.
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