Trump swaps in-person rallies for phone blitz

President Donald Trump cancelled his scheduled Saturday and Sunday rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Thursday. The Republican National Committee replaced the in-person events with a 72-hour phone bank. The party stated that virtual town halls in nearly 20 states will maximize the president's reach to voters in the final days of the midterm election.

The shift marks a break from Trump's earlier strategy of holding multiple physical rallies to mobilize supporters. He has held 25 rallies in October, falling short of his personal target of more than 30. The RNC said additional virtual events may be announced. Trump remains in South Carolina, where he visited for the second time in a month to support Republican Senate candidate Darline Graham.

Trump’s voice has been raspy in recent days. On Monday in Corinth, Mississippi, he told a crowd that God did not give people vocal cords for a rally every day. On Thursday, he pushed back when asked if health concerns caused the cancellation of the Kansas trip. He told reporters, "They've been following me for two weeks. I feel perfect."

An aide familiar with the operation said Trump believes he does not need to travel to Kansas to support Senator Roger Marshall against Democrat Adam Hamilton. The campaign team remains optimistic about the race. In South Carolina, Graham faces a strong challenge from Democrat Annie Andrews. South Carolina voters have not elected a Democrat to the Senate in nearly three decades.

Trump praised Graham, calling her brother the late Senator Lindsey Graham "a great politician." He said Darline Graham has the gift. Andrews, a pediatrician, told voters in Fort Mill on Wednesday that if they are unhappy with her performance, they can fire her in six years.

Other races in Texas, Ohio, Iowa, and Alaska remain tight. In Alaska, the Department of Justice issued new grand jury subpoenas after a New York Times report alleged the campaign of Democrat Mary Peltola was involved in recruiting a candidate with the same name as Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. Trump called the Alaska situation a conspiracy.

Trump is scheduled to travel to Daytona Beach, Florida, for a rally on Friday. The White House has not released the schedule for Monday, the final day of the campaign. He told reporters upon returning to the White House that the party will have a great night on Tuesday.