Trump puts cancelled Kansas and Iowa rallies back on, days before the US midterms
Donald Trump has put two cancelled campaign rallies back on his schedule, just days before Americans vote in the midterm elections. The US president was due to hold back-to-back rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Sunday, after the Republican National Committee (RNC) had called off the in-person events only a day earlier.
The RNC announced on Thursday that Trump would skip the two states and instead hold a “72-hour sprint” of rallies by phone, known as tele-rallies, aimed at reaching voters in nearly 20 states. The party said the phone events would let Trump speak to more voters in the limited time left before polling day.
But on Friday, a White House official told Reuters the in-person rallies were back on. “Rallies are BACK ON! President Trump loves his supporters, and in addition to nearly 20 tele-rallies, he will hold back-to-back rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Sunday,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. A person familiar with the plans confirmed the change to the Associated Press.
The U-turn came a day after Trump was asked whether health was behind the cancellations. He told reporters he did not “feel like I have to go to Kansas”, adding that he felt “perfect”. The White House said the rallies had simply been rearranged to fit the phone rallies into his schedule.
Trump had originally planned to campaign in Salina, Kansas, on Saturday for Senator Roger Marshall, and in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday for Senate candidate Ashley Hinson. He has headlined 25 rallies in October alone.
Why it matters
Both states are home to Senate races that could help decide whether the Republicans keep control of the Senate, where they currently hold a 53-47 majority. In Kansas, Marshall faces an unexpectedly competitive challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton. In Iowa, Hinson is contesting an open seat against Democrat Josh Turek.
The midterms on Tuesday, 3 November, will decide control of Congress, with 35 Senate seats on the ballot. The last-minute flip-flop has become a story in itself, raising questions about the campaign’s planning in the final weekend.
What happens next
Both rallies were due to take place on Sunday, alongside the tele-rallies. Voters then go to the polls on Tuesday, when the results will show whether the final push in Kansas, Iowa and other battleground states paid off.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://mymixfm.com/2026/10/30/on-again-trump-restores-weekend-campaign-rallies-in-iowa-kansas/ (Reuters, 30 October 2026)
- https://www.kcau9.com/news/iowa-news/trump-will-rally-in-kansas-and-iowa-after-initially-canceling-weekend-trips-before-midterms/ (Associated Press, 30 October 2026)
- https://political.org/2026/10/30/trump-reverses-course-reinstates-midterm-campaign-rallies-after-health-questions/ (Political.org, 30 October 2026)
