Trump holds final Midwest rallies

President Trump conducted more than 25 rallies in October alone as he seeks to influence the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The schedule included stops in red states where Republican candidates face stiff opposition. The intense pace has left the president fatigued, though he continues to headline events for his party.

On Nov. 1, the Republican National Committee announced that Trump would skip two planned weekend rallies in Iowa and Kansas. The party said he would instead hold a series of tele-rallies to reach voters more efficiently. Less than 24 hours later, officials reversed the decision. Trump will hold back-to-back in-person rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Nov. 8.

A source familiar with the scheduling change said the president loves his supporters. The source noted that Trump will hold the two events in addition to nearly 20 tele-rallies. The source was not authorized to speak on the record.

During a rally in Greenville, N.C., Trump asked supporters to pretend he was on the ballot. He argued that Democrats want to undo the tax cuts and border policies established during his first term. He also discussed the $5,000 dividend he promised adults if Republicans win both chambers of Congress. He joked that the amount would only buy a hamburger and a small dessert at Mar-a-Lago.

In Lubbock, Tex., Trump called tariffs his favorite word. He said the policy has made the country rich. He also repeated a joke about Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio. Trump claimed Husted gained 12 points in the polls after he described studying the senator's behind. Trump said he went from being down to being up, a claim made despite evidence to the contrary.

Blake Marnell, a fan from San Diego known as Brick Suit, took October off work to attend multiple rallies. He said he prefers political rallies to cruises. Trump has called him Mr. Wall. Marnell said these midterm rallies feel different from previous campaigns where Trump was a candidate.

Cindy New from Emerald Isle, N.C., said she voted for Trump three times but had never seen him live. She attended the Greenville rally hoping for a good show. She said she must see him once before he leaves the political stage. Her friend Valerie Thivierge from Fort Myers, Fla., closed her Trump-themed store to attend the same event.

At a rally in Corpus Christi, Tex., Trump told supporters there has never been anything like their political movement. He said they must win on Nov. 3. In Daytona Beach, Fla., Trump said his voice was operating at about 49.2%. He called 28 days of continuous campaigning a lot.