‘A net negative’: Why Trump’s midterm blitz is starting far from the battlegrounds

President Donald Trump has vowed to appear in the 35 tightest contests before November, yet his fall push begins in solidly Republican states: a truck plant in Denton, Texas, a rally in Durant, Oklahoma, and an event in Mobile, Alabama. A White House official, speaking anonymously, told MS NOW that a visit to a swing district would hurt the local candidate, since nominees in close races are working to separate themselves from the president. The official added that Trump prefers big MAGA rallies, which are easier to stage in reliably red places.

September was comparatively quiet for campaigning. Trump held the party's first midterm convention, in Texas, and a North Carolina rally, but devoted most of the month to foreign affairs, including a trip to Ireland, U. N. meetings and a visit from Xi Jinping. In 2018, by contrast, he was already stumping in competitive Senate states by this point.

Several battleground Republicans have called for ending the Iran war or curbing data centers. Trump says he sees little difference between himself and them. A Trump fundraiser cited the war, affordability and tariffs as headwinds.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →