Trump rallies in Iowa and Kansas after campaign stops restored

Donald Trump held rallies in Iowa and Kansas on 1 November, campaigning for Republican candidates in two competitive Senate races before the US midterm elections.

The president spoke for about two hours in Dubuque, Iowa, before travelling to Salina, Kansas, according to the Associated Press. In Salina, he appeared with Republican senator Roger Marshall, who faces Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton. Trump also held a rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, on 30 October.

The Iowa and Kansas appearances went ahead after a late change of plan. On 29 October, the Republican Party announced that the in-person events would be replaced by telephone rallies. Both visits were restored the following day; the Salina event had originally been scheduled for 31 October.

A White House official told Reuters the rallies had been rearranged to accommodate telephone campaign events. Trump later said allies in the two states had asked him to appear in person.

Facing concern about living costs, Trump attacked the Democrats during his campaign, warning that they would “bankrupt your family” if given power, the BBC reported. Before the Salina visit, Hamilton said Trump was welcome in Kansas and urged him to meet residents hurt by policies coming out of Washington.

Republicans went into the 3 November elections defending narrow majorities in both chambers. The vote will determine control of Congress, shaping Trump’s ability to advance his agenda for the remainder of his presidency.