Trump Rallies GOP as Senate Democrats Boost Key Races

Published: 15 October 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Donald Trump spent the latest day of the US midterm campaign trying to strengthen Republican candidates in closely watched races, using rallies in Arizona and Montana to energise his political base as Democrats increased spending in strategically important Senate contests.

The president’s campaign appearances came as both parties intensified their efforts ahead of the November midterm elections, with control of Congress and the political direction of the country increasingly at stake. At the same time, new developments involving inflation, immigration, Ukraine, voting rights and prominent candidates added to an already highly charged political environment.

Trump traveled to Bullhead City, Arizona, where he campaigned for Republican congressman Andy Biggs in his effort to unseat Democratic governor Katie Hobbs. He later traveled to Montana to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Kurt Alme, a former US attorney for the state.

The rallies demonstrated the continuing importance of Trump’s personal political influence among Republican voters. His appearances are designed not only to promote individual candidates but also to reinforce the broader Republican message before voters cast their ballots.

In Arizona, Trump sought to rally support behind Biggs as Republicans attempt to gain ground in a state that has become increasingly competitive in national politics. In Montana, his attention shifted to the Senate contest, where Alme faces Democrat Alani Bankhead, a retired air force officer, and independent candidate Seth Bodnar, a former president of the University of Montana and US Army veteran.

Trump’s campaign schedule came as the Senate Majority PAC, the leading Democratic super political action committee focused on Senate races, announced millions of dollars in additional spending in two major contests.

The organisation has reserved $3.7 million for Michigan, where Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is challenging Trump-backed Republican Mike Rogers. It is also investing $3 million in Maine, where Democrat Troy Jackson is seeking to defeat Republican Susan Collins, a five-term incumbent whose moderate reputation has historically helped her maintain support in a Democratic-leaning state.

The spending decisions underline the importance Democrats are placing on Michigan and Maine. The party is seeking to exploit dissatisfaction with the Trump administration while defending or expanding its position in a Senate landscape where relatively small changes in several states could determine control of the chamber.

The Democratic group has also reportedly paused advertising spending in North Carolina and Georgia, indicating that campaign organisations are reassessing where additional money can have the greatest effect as election day approaches.

The battle over Senate seats is taking place alongside a broader political contest over the economy. New government figures showed that US inflation rose to an annual rate of 3.7% in September, up from 3.4% in August. The figures arrived shortly before the midterm elections and at a politically sensitive moment for an administration facing continued public concern over the cost of living.

Economic pressures have become a central issue for voters, with Republicans seeking to argue that their policies will strengthen the economy while Democrats are highlighting the everyday impact of higher prices on households.

The election environment has also been shaped by intense disputes over immigration and voting. The US Justice Department has threatened California over allegations involving noncitizen voters, sending a letter to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber.

The department said it had provided Los Angeles County officials with information identifying individuals whom federal authorities believed were likely to be noncitizens. The development is likely to become part of the wider national debate over election security, voter eligibility and federal involvement in state election administration.

Meanwhile, Georgia reported record participation on the first day of early voting for this midterm cycle. State officials said about 188,600 ballots were cast on Tuesday, significantly exceeding the number recorded during the first day of early in-person voting in the 2022 midterms.

The strong turnout is being closely watched because Georgia has become one of the most important battleground states in US politics. High early participation could shape campaign strategies during the final weeks as candidates attempt to mobilise voters who may determine several closely contested races.

The campaign has also been marked by increasingly personal attacks.

Trump used a rally in Arizona to make an unsupported claim about Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and the Muslim Brotherhood. Trump alleged that El-Sayed had described himself as a member of the organisation, but there is no evidence that El-Sayed has ever been a member.

The controversy stems from social media posts by El-Sayed’s half-sister concerning members of their family and political activity in Egypt. El-Sayed has rejected any connection to the Muslim Brotherhood and said he was not raised by his mother, whose past political activities were discussed in the posts.

The dispute illustrates the degree to which questions about candidates’ families, backgrounds and identities are being drawn into the campaign, particularly in races where national political figures are attempting to define their opponents before voters make their decisions.

Another closely watched Democratic candidate, Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico, faced questions over previous remarks concerning religion and gender. Talarico said that comments he made in 2021 about God being non-binary were intended to be provocative and acknowledged that he had been trying to make a broader theological point.

His Republican opponent, Ken Paxton, has used the remarks in campaign attacks, reflecting the continuing role of cultural issues in Republican efforts to motivate conservative voters.

Talarico has also faced false online rumours about his health and whereabouts after taking a brief break from in-person campaigning because of illness. He said conspiracy theories circulated claiming that he had gone to a mental health facility, died or abandoned his campaign.

He described the phenomenon as part of an online “rage economy” in which political misinformation generates attention and financial rewards while distracting voters from issues affecting their daily lives.

The political battle has also extended into the White House itself. Newly appointed press secretary Katie Zacharia faced renewed questions over whether she had passed a US bar examination.

Zacharia told reporters that she had misunderstood a question about where she had passed the bar exam when she previously responded by saying that she had moved to China. Reports have since raised questions about her professional qualifications, while accounts have indicated that she obtained a law degree from Pepperdine but may not have passed a state bar examination.

The controversy has added another layer of scrutiny around the Trump administration as the White House seeks to maintain a disciplined political message during the election campaign.

Meanwhile, former vice-president Kamala Harris has announced plans to campaign across the country for Democrats in the final stages of the midterm race. Harris, who was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024, has also been asked about whether she intends to seek the presidency again in 2028.

During an interview, she said she had not yet decided but promised that she would eventually make her intentions known. Her comments are likely to attract attention among Democrats as the party considers its future leadership beyond the current midterm contest.

Foreign policy has also intruded into the domestic campaign. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he felt betrayed by Trump after Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network was reportedly reduced, raising further questions about the durability of US support for Kyiv.

Zelenskyy made the remarks during a visit to London as tensions between Washington and Kyiv continued. His comments reflect the increasingly complicated relationship between the Trump administration and Ukraine after years of US support for the country during its war with Russia.

Trump, meanwhile, blamed former president Joe Biden for contributing to the circumstances that led to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Speaking before his Arizona rally, Trump argued that Biden’s rhetoric toward Russia had contributed to the conflict, while presenting himself as someone who prefers negotiations and deals with foreign leaders.

The political significance of such statements extends beyond foreign policy because Ukraine has become a major dividing line within the Republican Party, with Trump’s approach receiving both strong support and criticism.

Trump’s rallies also featured an unusual symbol of his second administration: a new Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar. The luxury Boeing 747-8 became a talking point during his Arizona appearance, with Trump defending his acceptance of the aircraft by arguing that gifts are meant to be accepted.

As the midterm campaign enters its decisive phase, Republicans and Democrats are increasingly focused on turnout, campaign spending and defining their opponents. Trump is using his popularity among Republican voters to support candidates in competitive states, while Democratic organisations are concentrating millions of dollars on Senate races they believe can reshape the balance of power.

At the same time, inflation, immigration, voting rights, foreign policy and cultural disputes are competing for voters’ attention. The high early turnout in Georgia suggests that enthusiasm may be strong, but the eventual result will depend on which party succeeds in turning that enthusiasm into votes across the most competitive states.

With the November elections approaching, Trump’s ability to mobilise Republican voters remains one of the most important factors in the campaign. For Democrats, the challenge is to turn dissatisfaction with the administration into electoral gains while protecting vulnerable candidates and persuading undecided voters that a change in congressional power is necessary.

The final weeks of the campaign are therefore likely to bring even greater spending, sharper attacks and increasingly intense appearances by national political figures. The outcome could determine not only control of Congress but also the political momentum that will shape the remainder of Trump’s second term and the early battle over the 2028 presidential election.

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