Trump’s red-state tour raises eyebrows and anxiety among Republicans

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The Hill's Headlines | PM - September 30, 2026

The Hill's Headlines | PM - September 30, 2026

President Trump’s upcoming campaign stops in a number of red states are raising eyebrows as Democrats seek to expand the midterm map ahead of November’s midterm elections. 

This week, Trump is slated to visit Oklahoma and Alabama, in addition to making stops in the swing states of Ohio and Texas. The president is also set to head to Nebraska on Monday. 

Republicans argue the stops are all a part of the party’s strategy to get as close as they can to replicating their 2024 presidential year turnout. 

But polls show voters across the board souring on Trump’s policies, threatening Republican chances in what were once thought to be safe red states like Nebraska. 

“I think there are red flashing lights everywhere,” said an unnamed Republican strategist. 

Asked in the Oval Office on Wednesday whether the red state tour signals trouble for the GOP heading into the midterms, Trump did not answer directly.

“We have the best economy anywhere in the world,” he said. “There’s no economy like this economy. The only thing we don’t have is good public relations. We don’t seem to be able to get the word across.”

Texas and Ohio are both considered toss-up states, but the move for Trump to hold rallies in seemingly red strongholds like Alabama and Oklahoma has raised questions about how steep of a climb Republicans up and down the ballot are facing in........

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