WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has returned to the campaign trail, launching a 32-day push to support Republican candidates ahead of November’s midterm elections, amid historically low public approval ratings and growing concerns over the economy and the war with Iran.
Trump travelled from Washington to Texas and Oklahoma on Thursday, October 1, where he addressed two rallies and promoted the record of his administration. At his first rally in Denton, Texas, he defended his performance on the economy and government policy, while attributing his declining popularity to what he described as negative media coverage.
The November 3 midterm elections will determine all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats. If Republicans lose control of either chamber, Trump could face greater difficulty advancing his legislative agenda during the final two years of his second term.
The economy and the conflict with Iran are expected to feature prominently in the campaign. An Associated Press-NORC poll released Thursday found that 71% of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the war with Iran. The survey also found that nearly half of Americans expressed concern about the cost of food and fuel, while only 26% approved of Trump’s handling of the economy.
Despite the concerns, Trump has placed himself at the centre of the Republican campaign strategy. At a Republican midterm election conference in September, he urged voters to consider his administration’s record when casting their ballots.
At Thursday’s rallies, Trump also defended his tariff policies, claiming they had helped create thousands of new manufacturing jobs. His tariff programme, however, has faced several legal challenges.
Trump also addressed the war with Iran, which began on February 28 and has disrupted commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has contributed to higher energy prices, with diesel prices rising above $6 a gallon last week, according to the report.
Trump said the conflict would end quickly and that fuel prices would subsequently fall.
In Texas, Trump campaigned for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton and criticised Democratic candidate James Talarico. He also reiterated his positions on immigration, transgender rights and the expansion of data centres.
Following his stops in Texas and Oklahoma, Trump is expected to campaign in Alabama, Ohio and Nebraska as Republicans seek to retain control of Congress.
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