Facing low approval ratings ahead of next month’s midterm elections, President Donald Trump has embarked on a 32-day campaign to rally support. He plans to visit more than 17 states before the elections on November 3.
According to reports from AP and The Washington Post, Trump kicked off his campaign on October 1 with stops in Republican strongholds Texas and Oklahoma. He first visited the Peterbilt Motors factory in Denton, Texas, where he highlighted his economic achievements.
“This year, we’ve added 60,000 new manufacturing jobs, and the production of large trucks has increased by nearly 31%,” he said. “This is the highest level ever recorded in American history under the Trump administration. The truck industry in America is coming back.”
Texas is a key Republican stronghold, but in this year’s Senate race, Republican candidate Ken Paxton is facing a tough challenge from 37-year-old Democratic candidate James Talarico, a former seminarian. A Fox News poll released on October 1 showed Paxton leading Talarico by just 2 percentage points, with 51% to 49%. If Talarico wins, it would mark the first time since 1993 that Texas has elected a Democratic senator.
Thus, a victory in Texas is crucial for the Republicans to maintain their Senate majority. Trump urged supporters, saying, “We need Ken (Paxton) very much. That’s why I’m here.”
During the rally, Trump also referenced former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who attended the event, sharing anecdotes about his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “When we were having problems, I wanted to get to know Kim Jong Un,” Trump said. “Kim and I get along well, but the person who knows him best is Dennis Rodman.” Rodman is known for his close ties with Kim, having visited North Korea five times.
The New York Post noted that Rodman’s presence at the rally comes as Trump prepares to resume diplomatic efforts with North Korea. Additionally, Rodman is an alumnus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the second stop on Trump’s campaign tour.
Trump: Democrats Will Impeach Me if We Lose Midterms
At the Oklahoma rally, Trump claimed that if the Republicans do not win the midterms, the Democrats will seek to impeach him. He urged voters, saying, “Please think of me as running for office. If we don’t win, they (the Democrats) will impeach me.”
He reiterated his promise to distribute $5,000 to every adult American if the Republicans maintain control of both the House and Senate in the midterms. This pledge, made during the Republican National Convention on September 9, would require funding exceeding $1.2 trillion, more than half of the annual U.S. budget deficit, raising questions about its feasibility.
As the midterms approach, Trump’s approval ratings are precarious due to inflation driven by tariff policies and the war in Iran. An AP-NORC poll released on the same day showed Trump’s approval rating at 31%, the lowest of his presidency. Support for his economic policies stands at just 26%, indicating widespread dissatisfaction among Americans regarding economic issues.
The White House announced that Trump plans to campaign across more than 17 states over the next 32 days leading up to the midterms. However, concerns have been raised about his strategy, as he is primarily visiting Republican strongholds rather than competitive districts.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.