Trump launches midterms campaign blitz amid record low approval ratings

President Donald Trump commenced a 32-day campaign blitz on Thursday, visiting Texas and Oklahoma to support Republican candidates ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump hopes to serve as the party's face during this push, aiming to campaign in several competitive House of Representatives and Senate races. He began his journey in Texas, a traditionally safe Republican territory, to build momentum before tackling more competitive races.

However, some Republican officials have expressed concerns about the potential risks of appearing alongside their party's unpopular standard bearer, particularly in light of recent issues like the Iran war and the growth of data centers that consume excessive energy. Several candidates have shown willingness to distance themselves from Trump on these matters.

Trump visited Oklahoma on Thursday and was scheduled to address the crowd about the state's achievements during his three presidential campaigns. On Wednesday, he acknowledged that he had failed in promoting his economic record since returning to the White House in January of 2025. This admission has contributed to a shift in voter sentiment, with some previously safe Republican seats now considered competitive in the upcoming elections.

Texas is one of the eight US Senate races rated as competitive. The state's attorney general, Ken Paxton, plans to campaign alongside Trump in Denton, Texas, where he is expected to discuss the benefits of Trump-era truck tariffs on job growth. However, the growing costs of diesel fuel, which reached a record high of US$5.97 per gallon recently, may pose challenges for this argument.

The president is set to rally in Oklahoma on Friday, a state he won with more than 66% of the vote in the 2024 presidential election. The Republican National Committee has organized this rally in southern Oklahoma, near the Texas border, to attract supporters from neighboring Texas. On Saturday, Trump will continue his campaign in Alabama, another reliable conservative state, where incumbent Senator John Cornyn is facing a close re-election challenge.

On Monday, Trump will address a more competitive audience in Ohio, where Senator Jon Husted is also battling for re-election. Finally, on Tuesday, Trump will rally in Nebraska, where the state faces challenges in both House and Senate races.