Senate Control at Stake as Trump Ends Midterm Campaign
Washington, November 2
With midterm elections set for Tuesday, President Donald Trump launched what he described as the final major push for Republicans, asking voters to ensure the party keeps its hold on the Senate. Trump said during a campaign swing through Iowa and Kansas, “We have to win the Senate.”
On Sunday, Trump landed in Dubuque, Iowa, where he met reporters with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Home Minister Doug Burgum at his side.
Trump said the GOP must preserve its strength in the Senate. Drawing a comparison to the Muslim Brotherhood, he said that even people who command one, two or three votes within a party begin to build influence and force the party to bend to their will.
He said he was in Iowa to support Senate nominee Ashley Hinson and in Kansas to back Roger Marshall. “We are sure that both will win,” Trump stated, urging voters to make certain that outcome.
In an earlier post on X, Trump said he would head to Kansas after Iowa and that the trip would be the final leg of his campaign. He backed Jack Lahn for governor in Iowa and, in Kansas, Roger Marshall and Tie Masterson.
Michigan’s Senate race has also drawn attention. Trump welcomed the decision by Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens to throw her support behind Republican Mike Rogers, who faces Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
Calling Stevens’s move a smart decision, Trump said, “Nobody saw it coming, but it is the correct step,” and argued El-Sayed would hurt the country. He said he planned to call Stevens to express his thanks. Asked if he would welcome her into the Republican Party, he said she would be welcomed.
Speaker Mike Johnson echoed the praise, framing the contest as one between measured judgment and extremist views. He claimed that Stevens and her fiance had been receiving a steady stream of threats. “She may be in danger, and she has displayed bravery by taking this step,” he said.
Trump said his midterm rallies had been unprecedented, with large crowds filling every venue.
Trump also discussed a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling it “very good.” The White House has not issued an official summary of the call. A Sunday report indicated that the two discussed issues tied to the war.
According to that report, Netanyahu is pressing Trump to order an immediate attack on Iran after the midterm elections. Trump is currently inclined to let talks with Iran continue. An Israeli source described Saturday’s exchange as strict, while a US source characterized it as a direct conversation. Both the White House and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment.
On trade with Canada, Trump said a framework is in place for an agreement that would serve American farmers and the country well, and would also be acceptable to Canada. He said he had held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Asked about Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who is recovering from a stroke, Trump said he would get in touch at an appropriate time.
The midterms pose a test for Republicans as they seek to hold onto the Senate. Trump wrapped up his campaign with an appearance in Kansas on Sunday.