Trump cancels final rallies before the midterms and will replace them with 'tele-rallies'

Rally cancellations and the switch to an online format

US President Donald Trump has canceled two of his final rallies ahead of the midterm elections, it was announced on Thursday by the Republican National Committee (RNC). The events in question are in Kansas and Iowa: instead, Trump will hold a 'large number' of virtual 'tele-rallies' in a number of states. In its statement, the committee explained this by saying that Republicans are supposedly 'in a strong position' in those states, so the previously scheduled in-person rallies 'will no longer take place as scheduled.' The final in-person rally of the campaign is now set for Friday in Florida.

Campaign context and his reaction to a question about fatigue

Republicans are fighting to keep control of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections. Trump urged the party to 'pretend I'm on the ballot' in order to maximize turnout, despite low approval ratings. Although he is the oldest elected president in US history, throughout October he kept up an exhausting schedule of near-daily rallies in support of Republicans. When a journalist asked whether he was canceling Saturday's rally in Kansas because he was 'tired of traveling,' Trump responded sharply: 'It's disgusting that you're asking that question. You're sick,' adding: 'I feel great. You're disgusting. Get yourself in shape, you look like a nightmare.' According to AFP, the question was asked after the president returned to Washington from a trip to South Carolina.