President Donald Trump has called off two campaign rallies planned for this weekend, making the unexpected move just days before the November 3 midterm elections.
Trump had been scheduled to appear in Salina, Kansas, on Saturday to campaign for Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who is facing a closer-than-expected reelection contest.
Instead of appearing before the enthusiastic crowds in person, Trump will participate in a series of virtual tele-rallies from Mar-a-Lago.
A second planned event in Dubuque, Iowa, has also been canceled as an in-person gathering and will now take place online, Republican sources told The Associated Press.
The reason for the abrupt change remains unclear. The White House has confirmed, however, that Trump is expected to hold at least 20 virtual rallies before Election Day aimed at voters in Texas, Kansas, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
“These events give him the opportunity to highlight his accomplishments and expand his reach across the country,” a White House spokesperson said.
The virtual strategy is intended to maximize Trump’s time and connect with as many voters as possible. CBS News reported that tele-rallies will allow the president to campaign across a wider area without the travel demands of traditional events.
“This 72-hour sprint will be a huge boost in the closing days,” Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters told the AP.
“I don’t feel like I have to go to Kansas. I’m going to Florida tomorrow,” Trump told a Reuters reporter earlier today.
Donald Trump canceled two rallies scheduled for the weekend before the midterm elections. He is pictured dancing at a rally in South Carolina.
Earlier, Trump reacted angrily when a reporter asked whether he was tired of traveling during the final stretch of the campaign, calling the question “disgusting.”
“You’re sick to ask that question,” Trump replied. “I’m not going to Kansas because [Marshall] is doing really well.”
He added, “I don’t feel like I have to go to Kansas. I’m going to Florida tomorrow.”
“You’ve been following me for two weeks. I feel perfect. You are disgusting, you look like hell,” he told the reporter before leaving.
‘I’m not sure yet,’ Senator Roger Marshall told a reporter when asked about the Trump’s cancellation, ‘I think-they think it might do with I’m doing so well in the polls, he’s probably got better places to spend his time.’
A CNN poll released Monday found Marshall trailing Hamilton by four percentage points.
Trump had earlier traveled to South Carolina to campaign for Darline Graham, who is competing in a razor-close race to succeed her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July at age 71.
“I’m asking you to do me one favor—pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump told supporters at a rally in Rock Hill as he urged them to vote for Graham.
The president has appeared at nearly daily rallies ahead of the midterms, as Republicans face the possibility of losing control of the House of Representatives.
Democrats could also win enough closely contested races to reclaim the Senate majority.
Several competitive Senate contests are unfolding in states that were once considered reliably Republican, prompting Trump to campaign in South Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi, Texas, Ohio and Florida.
On Tuesday, the President held two rallies in Texas, in an attempt to shore up Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton’s campaign against Democratic state Representative James Talarico.
On the trail, Trump has riled up his base, though he has consistently gone off-script.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hand out candy to children as they host Halloween today
On Sunday in Michigan, the President produced headlines by talking to the crowd about rapper Nicki Minaj’s ‘a**.’
He’s also gone into detail explaining why he was ogling Ohio Senator Jon Husted’s body during a stop in Ohio.
At each rally, the story has gotten longer and more involved.
On Friday, Trump will return to the Sunshine State to help bolster the gubernatorial bid of Representative Byron Donalds and the Senate bid of Senator Ashley Moody.
He’s also expected to return to Michigan before Election Day, but no rally has been officially announced.