US midterms: Trump skips rallies in two red states, takes phone route to rescue GOP

Trump dismisses health concerns after cancelling weekend rallies

US President Donald Trump has cancelled his planned weekend rallies in Iowa and Kansas, opting instead to hold phone rallies to support Republican candidates in nearly 20 states ahead of the midterm elections.The move comes as Republicans face a tough fight to retain control of Congress, with several Senate races tightening in the final days of campaigning.Trump travelled to South Carolina on Thursday for the second time in a month to support Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham, who is facing a strong challenge from Democrat Annie Andrews. Republicans have not lost a Senate race in the state in nearly three decades, but growing voter frustration over the economy, high gas prices and the war in Iran has made the contest more competitive.The Republican National Committee (RNC) said Trump would instead lead a “72-hour sprint” of phone rallies, which could reach voters across nearly 20 states. The party said more states could be added to the schedule.Trump had earlier planned to hold rallies in Kansas on Saturday and Iowa on Sunday. He has held 25 rallies in October, short of his earlier target of more than 30.Asked whether health concerns had led to the cancellation, Trump dismissed the suggestion, saying, “I feel perfect.”

He also said he did not need to visit Kansas, where Democrat Adam Hamilton is challenging Republican Senator Roger Marshall.Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday. It remains unclear whether he will hold more in-person events before election day.In South Carolina, Darline Graham was appointed in July by Republican Governor Henry McMaster to fill the Senate seat left vacant after the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham.

She later won the Republican nomination for a full six-year term.Trump praised her candidacy, saying, “She’s got the gene,” while attacking Democrat Andrews. Graham said Andrews would undo the work Republicans had done in Washington.Andrews, meanwhile, has urged voters to give her a chance, telling supporters that they could vote her out after six years if she failed to deliver.Republicans are also facing close contests in Texas, Ohio, Kansas, Iowa and Alaska, while both parties are closely watching the Mississippi Senate race.Democrats are hopeful of making gains, particularly in Ohio, where former senator Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Senator Jon Husted. Brown has focused his campaign on rising living costs, accusing Husted of prioritising big businesses over ordinary families.In Alaska, Governor Mike Dunleavy has ordered an investigation after a New York Times report alleged that Democrat Mary Peltola's campaign was involved in recruiting a candidate with the same name as Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.The justice department has also issued new grand jury subpoenas as part of the investigation, according to a person familiar with the matter.Trump called the reported move a “conspiracy” and demanded that Peltola be removed from the ballot. Peltola dismissed the report as a distraction, saying the focus should remain on issues such as Sullivan's support for the war in Iran.With control of Congress at stake, both parties are stepping up their efforts in the final days of campaigning.