Trump Cancels Weekend Campaign Rallies in Kansas and Iowa, Shifts to Telephone Events Ahead of Midterm Elections

The US president has called off two scheduled appearances after weeks of intensive campaigning, but Republican officials say he will continue supporting candidates through telephone rallies in at least 19 states before Election Day.

By Open Chronicle with agencies

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Maryland — October 29, 2026

US President Donald Trump canceled planned weekend campaign rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Thursday, opting instead to participate in telephone events as Republicans prepare for Tuesday’s closely watched midterm elections.

The decision comes after four weeks of extensive campaigning across the United States, during which Trump has traveled to dozens of events in an effort to help Republicans retain control of Congress.

The canceled appearances had been scheduled for Saturday in Salina, Kansas, and Sunday in Dubuque, Iowa, two states featuring competitive congressional contests.

Trump said he did not consider an in-person visit to Kansas necessary, expressing confidence in Republican Senator Roger Marshall’s reelection campaign.

“I don’t feel like I have to go to Kansas,” Trump told reporters.

Referring to Marshall, who faces Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton, the president added: “He is doing very well.”

Trump also predicted a successful election night for his party.

“We are going to have a strong Tuesday night,” he said.

Republican Campaign Adjusts Final Weekend Schedule

The Republican National Committee confirmed later Thursday that the planned rally in Iowa would also be canceled.

The decision removes two appearances from Trump’s final weekend campaign schedule, although the president is still expected to attend other events before Election Day.

Republican officials have not announced a complete withdrawal from in-person campaigning.

Instead, the president’s political allies are preparing an expanded program of telephone rallies intended to reach voters across multiple states without requiring additional travel.

MAGA Inc., a campaign funding organization aligned with Trump, announced that it would organize a series of tele-rallies featuring the president in at least 19 states, including Kansas and Iowa.

The format will allow Trump to address supporters remotely as Republican candidates enter the final days of campaigning.

The events also provide an alternative to the president’s traditional large-scale rallies, which have been a defining feature of his political campaigns.

Four Weeks of Intensive Campaigning

Since October 1, Trump has held 25 rallies across 19 states, according to the campaign information provided Thursday.

Many of those appearances have taken place in rural communities and Republican-leaning states, where the president has sought to mobilize conservative voters and strengthen support for Republican candidates.

His speeches have frequently lasted more than an hour, adding to a demanding travel schedule.

The campaign has placed particular emphasis on congressional contests that could determine which party controls the Senate and House of Representatives.

Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers, making Tuesday’s elections particularly consequential for the administration’s legislative agenda.

Control of Congress will influence the president’s ability to advance domestic policy priorities, secure funding for government programs and navigate potential investigations or oversight proceedings.

The results will also shape the political environment for the remainder of Trump’s presidential term.

Kansas Senate Race Draws Attention

The canceled Kansas appearance was intended to support Senator Roger Marshall, whose reelection contest has become more competitive than Republicans initially expected.

Marshall is facing Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton in a state that has traditionally favored Republican candidates in statewide federal elections.

Trump’s decision not to travel to Salina suggests that his campaign believes Marshall can maintain sufficient support without another presidential appearance.

However, the cancellation does not establish the likely outcome of the race.

The president expressed confidence in Marshall’s position but did not provide polling figures or other evidence to support his assessment.

The Kansas contest remains one of several races that could affect the balance of power in the Senate.

Iowa Rally Also Removed From Calendar

The Republican National Committee’s decision to cancel Sunday’s event in Dubuque comes as Iowa prepares for several competitive congressional elections.

The state has become an important part of the Republican Party’s efforts to preserve its representation in the House of Representatives.

Trump’s planned appearance would have provided an opportunity to mobilize supporters during the final weekend before voting.

Instead, Iowa will be included in the planned telephone campaign events.

The shift allows the president to maintain a presence in the state’s election campaign while reducing the number of physical appearances on his schedule.

Republican officials have not detailed how many Iowa voters they expect to reach through the remote events.

Trump Acknowledges Demands of Rally Schedule

Trump has recently spoken publicly about the physical demands of holding frequent campaign rallies.

During an appearance in Mississippi on Monday, the president sounded hoarse and commented on the strain associated with delivering lengthy speeches on consecutive days.

“God didn’t make your vocal cords to do a rally every day,” Trump told supporters.

His remarks reflected the demands of a campaign schedule involving repeated travel and extended public appearances.

However, Trump has not said that the Kansas and Iowa cancellations were caused by illness or a medical condition.

On Thursday, after campaigning for Senator Darline Graham in South Carolina, the president dismissed a reporter’s question about whether he was tired of traveling.

Asked by Reuters how he felt after weeks of rallies, Trump responded sharply before leaving for the White House.

“You’ve been following me for two weeks,” he said.

“I feel perfect.”

The president’s comments offered no indication that he intended to suspend campaigning altogether.

Florida Rally Remains on Schedule

Despite the weekend cancellations, Trump is still expected to travel to Florida on Friday for another campaign event.

Additional appearances may also take place before Tuesday’s election.

The decision to replace some rallies with telephone events gives the campaign greater flexibility during the final stages of the election cycle.

Remote appearances can allow a national political figure to address supporters in several states within a shorter period, although they do not provide the same direct interaction or local visibility as in-person rallies.

The strategy reflects a practical adjustment to the campaign calendar rather than a publicly announced change in the president’s broader political priorities.

Congressional Control at Stake on Tuesday

The November 3 midterm elections will determine the composition of Congress for the next two years.

With Republicans holding narrow majorities in both chambers, individual Senate and House races could have significant consequences for the administration.

A Republican majority would help the president pursue his legislative priorities, while a shift in control of either chamber could create new obstacles and alter congressional oversight.

The final days of campaigning are therefore important for both parties as they seek to encourage turnout among supporters and reach undecided voters.

Trump’s campaign schedule has focused heavily on reinforcing Republican support, particularly in states where competitive races could affect congressional control.

The president’s decision to cancel two rallies does not necessarily indicate a reduction in the campaign’s overall activity.

Instead, Republican organizations are preparing to supplement remaining in-person events with a broader series of telephone appearances.

Final Campaign Push Moves Into Its Last Days

With Election Day approaching, Trump and Republican officials are concentrating on their remaining opportunities to reach voters.

The cancellation of the Kansas and Iowa rallies removes two scheduled appearances from the president’s itinerary, but his allies say he will continue addressing supporters through remote events across the country.

Trump has expressed confidence in Republican candidates and maintained that he is capable of continuing his campaign activities.

For Republicans, the immediate objective remains retaining control of the Senate and House of Representatives.

For voters, Tuesday’s results will determine the congressional balance of power and the political conditions under which the administration will govern during the next two years.