By Islam El-Sakka
President Donald Trump will hold in-person midterm rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Sunday after Republican officials initially canceled the events in favor of telerallies. The reversal follows a testy exchange on Thursday when a Reuters reporter asked whether the cancellations were related to Trump's health.
Health question triggers reversal
Trump snapped at the reporter, saying, "I feel perfect. You are disgusting," and adding, "Put yourself in shape. You look like hell." The rallies were subsequently reinstated, with sources telling CNN and the Associated Press that a White House official confirmed the change. Trump is also scheduled to appear at a rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday night.
Battleground Senate races at stake
Both Kansas and Iowa host competitive Senate races that could determine whether Republicans retain their chamber majority. Trump has already visited both states this month to support GOP Sen. Roger Marshall in Kansas and Republican Senate candidate Ashley Hinson, who currently serves in the House, in Iowa. Those stops were among 25 rallies Trump has headlined in October.
Early voting surges as midterms approach
Nearly 40 million people have already voted in the midterm elections, which take place on Tuesday. Trump's approval rating is historically low for a president heading into midterms, the lowest since Harry Truman in 1946, potentially threatening Republican candidates nationwide.
