Trump launches 32-day campaign blitz in deep-red states as approval sinks
President Trump is launching a month-long campaign swing through deep-red Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio, Nebraska, and eventually Texas ahead of the November 3 midterms, while his approval rating sits near 37% against 60% disapproval. Political scientists quoted in the piece say the red-state itinerary signals his appeal to swing voters has narrowed to rallying a base that otherwise skips midterms.
Several Republicans up for election are publicly distancing themselves: Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar criticized his immigration policy, Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson knocked the Iran war, and Texas attorney general Ken Paxton privately complained, per leaked audio, that Trump's convention stop hurt his own poll numbers.
Analysts note that the 'change' message that powered Trump's 2016 and 2024 campaigns doesn't translate when he is the incumbent presiding over rising costs and gas prices, leaving Republicans trying to use his draw for volunteers and fundraising without tying vulnerable candidates too closely to him.
The full dispatch is available from the source below.