Trump Cancels Kansas and Iowa Rallies, Shifts to Virtual Events
President Trump replaces in-person midterm rallies with virtual events after protests and empty seats, while denying health concerns.
KEY POINTS
- Trump canceled Kansas and Iowa rallies and shifted to virtual events
- More than 20 telerallies planned before Election Day
- Three protests interrupted the South Carolina rally and empty seats were visible
- Trump denied health concerns and attacked a Reuters reporter
- Florida in-person event on Friday still scheduled
US President Donald Trump has canceled planned in-person campaign rallies in Kansas and Iowa and is shifting toward virtual campaign events. The Kansas rally was scheduled for Saturday and the Iowa rally for Sunday, with election day approaching on Tuesday. Trump was to support embattled candidate Roger Marshall in Kansas.
The decision follows a series of small-venue appearances disrupted by protests, including an event in South Carolina on Thursday. Three protests interrupted that rally, and cameras showed numerous empty seats at the back of the venue. The protests were among many at recent in-person rallies held by Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
“Put yourself in shape. You look like hell.”
The White House said Trump will connect with Americans through more than 20 telerallies before Election Day. A White House official stated these events allow him to highlight accomplishments and expand his reach across the country. The White House did not explain the reason for the pivot or whether other scheduled events were canceled.
Trump insisted the Florida event on Friday would still go ahead and rejected suggestions that he was tired of travel or unwell. He said he felt perfect and had been followed by a reporter for two weeks. The shift has renewed speculation about the 80-year-old president's health and questions about whether he is giving up on certain races.
During a heated exchange, Trump lashed out at a Reuters reporter who asked about the cancellations. He told the reporter he was sick to ask the question, called him disgusting, and said, "Put yourself in shape. You look like hell." Trump also asked who the reporter was with and said he did not feel he had to go to Kansas because the candidate was doing very well.
The move has reignited Trump's obsession with crowd sizes and prompted renewed discussion about his campaign schedule. The Republican Party announced that the two remaining in-person midterm rallies would no longer go ahead as scheduled. Trump returned to Washington from the South Carolina campaign trip before the exchange with the reporter.
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