WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has begun a 32-day campaign tour aimed at helping Republican candidates protect the party’s narrow majorities in Congress ahead of the November midterm elections.
Trump travelled to Texas and Oklahoma on October 1, beginning a campaign schedule that will take him across several Republican-leaning states. The opening events are designed to strengthen conservative turnout while supporting candidates facing unexpectedly competitive races.
In Texas, Trump is expected to appear with Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton at an event near Dallas. Paxton, the state’s attorney general, is facing Democrat James Talarico in a closely watched race after defeating incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary with Trump’s backing.
The appearance follows the release of a recording in which Paxton reportedly criticised Trump’s September midterm convention, saying it had damaged his campaign and those of other Republican candidates. Paxton’s campaign dismissed the recording as manipulated, while Trump said he had not heard it and praised the convention.
During a visit to Peterbilt Motors in Denton, Trump is expected to promote his tariff and trade policies. The White House says truck tariffs introduced during his administration helped manufacturers create more than 2,000 jobs, including about 1,000 at the Texas facility.
However, rising fuel prices are complicating the administration’s economic message. Diesel prices in Texas recently reached a record $5.97 per gallon, while average petrol prices have risen sharply compared with the same period last year, adding to voter concerns over the cost of living.
Trump will later hold a rally in Durant, Oklahoma, near the Texas border. The location was selected partly to attract voters from the Dallas–Fort Worth media market and support Republican efforts in the neighbouring Texas Senate contest.
The president is also expected to campaign in Alabama and other Republican strongholds in the days ahead. His decision to begin the tour in heavily conservative states reflects the party’s effort to energise its base as economic dissatisfaction and divisions over foreign policy create new challenges for Republican candidates.