President Donald Trump has abruptly called off two campaign rallies planned for this weekend, just days before the November 3 midterm elections.
Trump had been scheduled to travel to Salina, Kansas, on Saturday to campaign alongside Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who is facing an unexpectedly competitive reelection contest.
Instead, the president will address supporters remotely from Mar-a-Lago, abandoning plans to appear before the enthusiastic crowds in person.
A second rally in Dubuque, Iowa, has also been canceled and will now take place virtually, Republican sources told The Associated Press.
‘This 72-hour sprint will be a huge boost in the closing days,’ Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters told the AP.
The reason for the sudden changes remains unclear. The White House has confirmed, however, that Trump plans to host at least 20 virtual tele-rallies before Election Day, targeting voters in Texas, Kansas, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
‘These events give him the opportunity to highlight his accomplishments and expand his reach across the country,’ a White House spokesperson said.
The remote events are part of an effort to ‘maximize Trump’s time and reach as many voters as possible… [as] tele-rallies allow him to cover more ground,’ according to CBS News.
‘I don’t feel like I have to go to Kansas, I’m going to Florida tomorrow,’ Trump told a Reuters reporter earlier today
Donald Trump canceled two rallies scheduled for the weekend just before the midterm elections. He is pictured dancing at a rally in South Carolina
Asked about Trump’s decision, Marshall suggested it could reflect his own strong performance, saying it ‘might do with [how] I’m doing so well in the polls’ and that Trump ‘probably [has] better places to spend his time.’
A CNN poll released Monday showed Marshall trailing Hamilton by four percentage points.
The schedule shake-up came only hours after Trump branded a reporter ‘disgusting’ for asking whether he was tired of traveling.
‘You’re sick to ask that question,’ Trump replied. ‘I’m not going to Kansas because [Marshall] is doing really well.’
He added: ‘I don’t feel like I have to go to Kansas, I’m going to Florida tomorrow.’
‘You’ve been following me for two weeks. I feel perfect. You are disgusting, you look like hell,’ Trump told the reporter before walking away.
The exchange followed Trump’s trip to South Carolina, where he campaigned for Darline Graham in the extremely close race to succeed her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July at 71.
‘I’m asking you to do me one favor – pretend that I’m on the ballot,’ Trump told supporters at a rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, as he urged them to vote for Graham.
Trump visited South Carolina on Thursday to support Darline Graham in the close race to succeed her late brother
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump handed out candy to children while hosting Halloween celebrations on Thursday
Trump has held a rally almost every day in the lead-up to the midterms, as Republicans face bleak prospects in their effort to retain control of the House of Representatives.
Democrats may also win enough closely contested races to reclaim the Senate majority.
Several Senate contests are competitive in states that were once considered reliably Republican, prompting Trump to campaign in South Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi, Texas, Ohio and Florida.
Trump has energized his base on the campaign trail, but his speeches have repeatedly veered away from their prepared scripts.
At a Michigan rally on Sunday, the president drew headlines after discussing rapper Nicki Minaj’s ‘a**’ with the crowd.
He has also offered an extended explanation of why he was looking at the body of Ohio Senator Jon Husted during a stop in the state.
With each appearance, the story has grown longer and more elaborate.
On Friday, Trump is due back in Florida to support Representative Byron Donalds in the governor’s race and Senator Ashley Moody in her Senate campaign.
He is also expected to visit Michigan again before Election Day, although no rally has been formally announced.
