Trump Acknowledges Concerns About Texas and Michigan During Campaign Push/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ President Donald Trump campaigned in Texas and Oklahoma Thursday while Vice President JD Vance rallied in Florida to strengthen Republican turnout before the Nov. 3 midterms. Trump expressed confidence but acknowledged concerns about several states as polling showed deep dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy and living costs. The appearances began a planned 32-day campaign push aimed at defending congressional majorities and supporting competitive Republican candidates.
Quick Look
- Campaign blitz begins: Trump visited Denton, Texas, and Durant, Oklahoma, Thursday.
- Vance rallies in Florida: The vice president campaigned for gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds in Lakeland.
- Trump acknowledges difficult races: He cited concerns about Michigan, Texas and other states.
- Economic approval weakens: Only 26% approve of his economic performance, while 17% approve of his handling of living costs.
- Paxton receives support: Trump promoted the Texas attorney general’s Senate campaign against Democrat James Talarico.
- Oklahoma governor’s race: Trump rallied for Republican Mike Mazzei, who faces Democrat Cyndi Munson.
- Weather alters travel: Trump traveled approximately 85 miles by motorcade after bad weather disrupted his flight plans.
- More stops planned: Alabama, Ohio and Nebraska are on the upcoming itinerary.
- Near-daily appearances expected: White House officials have outlined an extensive schedule through Election Day.
Deep Look
Trump and Vance Campaign in Traditionally Republican Areas
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance campaigned Thursday in Republican strongholds where GOP candidates are facing tougher contests than previously anticipated.
Trump’s appearances in Texas and Oklahoma launched what he described as a 32-day campaign blitz leading to the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Vance traveled to Florida to support Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds.
The effort is intended to bolster enthusiasm among Republican voters as the party seeks to retain control of Congress and win important state races.
Trump Expresses Confidence but Acknowledges Vulnerabilities
Speaking at a truck manufacturing facility in Denton, northwest of Dallas, Trump insisted he was committed to the campaign.
“I think we’re going to win. Every place I’ve gone, we win,” he said.
Addressing suggestions that his “heart isn’t in it,” Trump responded, “My heart is in it,” and said he would be “home right now” otherwise.
“My heart is in it like never before,” he added.
At his later rally in Durant, Oklahoma, Trump offered a more cautious assessment.
“We are worried about Michigan, we are worried about Texas. We are worried about a few states,” he said, adding, “It’s all about 35 different contests.”
Vance Casts Republicans as the Common-Sense Choice
In Lakeland, Florida, Vance framed the campaign as a contrast between Republican common sense and what he characterized as Democrats’ movement to the left.
“I have the easiest job in the world,” he said. “I get to talk about how crazy the Democrats are.”
His appearance placed another senior administration figure in a heavily Republican state where affordability concerns and other local issues have complicated the party’s prospects.
Economic Polling Presents a Difficult Backdrop
A new Associated Press-NORC poll found that just 26% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, a new low.
Only 17% approve of his handling of living costs.
Republicans have expressed increasing concern about the election as high prices persist and the unpopular war with Iran continues.
Trump argued that the administration’s difficulty lies primarily in communicating its achievements.
“Maybe we’re doing a bad job selling it,” he said in Texas.
Trump Blames Biden for Affordability Problems
During his Texas remarks, Trump spent more time criticizing former President Joe Biden, revisiting his 2024 campaign and defending the Iran war than explaining how he would lower household costs.
He attributed inflation to Biden and insisted that prices were declining.
“I think inflation is very real, but they’re the ones that caused the inflation,” Trump said. “I’m the one that’s bringing it down, and we have to be able to get that word out somehow because they’re using the word affordability.”
Those claims came as polling showed widespread dissatisfaction with his administration’s economic performance.
Democrats Describe Campaign Push as Desperate
The Democratic National Committee said Trump and Vance were “desperately trying to rally their base as the midterm elections approach and Republicans face defeat.”
“Donald Trump and JD Vance started a deadly and costly war with Iran that sent the economy spiraling and pushed prices even higher, and now — in the final stretch to the midterms — they’re desperately pleading with voters to ‘give (them) another chance,’” said DNC deputy communications director Kendall Witmer.
The competing messages highlight how the economy and Iran war are shaping the final weeks of campaigning.
Trump Backs Paxton in Competitive Texas Senate Race
Trump toured the Denton truck facility and spoke with workers as Republicans devoted substantial resources to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign.
Paxton faces Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in a race that could be closer than long expected.
Paxton attended the event, where Trump joked that he “could be a pain in the ass sometimes.”
“We need Ken so badly, and that’s why I’m here,” Trump said.
Trump did not invite Paxton to speak onstage.
He also recognized former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who accompanied him, describing Rodman as a longtime friend and mentioning his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Bad Weather Forces High-Speed Motorcade to Oklahoma
After the Texas event, the White House said bad weather required Trump to travel by motorcade to Durant, approximately 85 miles away.
Vehicles occasionally approached 100 mph during the journey.
Trump posted that his presidential limousine, “The Beast,” was traveling “faster than it has ever gone before.”
The change allowed him to continue to the evening rally supporting Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei.
Choctaw Nation Rally Includes Warning About Impeachment
Mazzei is running against Democratic state House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson.
The rally took place on the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, placing Trump among the small number of sitting presidents who have visited tribal nations.
He discussed a decline in poverty among Native Americans and other population groups during his presidency.
Trump also warned supporters about the possibility of Democrats taking control of Congress.
“If we don’t win, they’ll end up impeaching me,” he said.
“I’ve become very good at beating them in impeachment,” Trump added.
Republican Strategy Seeks Reach Across State Lines
A person familiar with Republican strategy said Trump would visit more competitive areas in the coming weeks, while avoiding places where his presence might hurt GOP candidates.
The person spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the plans publicly.
The Oklahoma appearance was also intended to reach Texas voters through the nearby Dallas-Fort Worth media market.
Similarly, Friday’s scheduled visit to Mobile, Alabama, is designed to support Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s gubernatorial campaign while reaching voters in Florida’s neighboring panhandle.
Florida Race Draws Support From Both Trump and Vance
The Alabama stop is intended in part to strengthen support for Donalds, who faces David Jolly in Florida’s governor’s race.
Jolly, a former Republican who later became an independent, is now running as a Democrat.
Affordability and artificial intelligence data centers have emerged as central issues as Florida Republicans face political turbulence.
Vance’s Thursday rally supported Donalds directly. It followed his Wednesday appearance in south Texas with Republican Eric Flores, who is competing in a tight U.S. House race.
White House Plans Near-Daily Campaign Schedule
Trump is scheduled to campaign Saturday in Vandalia, Ohio, and Monday in Grand Island, Nebraska.
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles privately outlined a near-daily campaign schedule to Republican senators on Capitol Hill this week.
West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said administration officials were “acknowledging the headwinds” but that “they have a strategy.”
The coming travel push will test whether Trump’s ability to mobilize Republican supporters can overcome concerns about living costs and the party’s broader electoral position.
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