Trump launches midterm race: 'Vote as if I were on the ballot'

Donald Trump has launched his campaign for the midterm elections, urging Republican voters to cast ballots as if he were on the ballot. Speaking at a rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the president addressed supporters of Senator Darline Graham, whose brother recently passed away. He praised her candidacy, claiming he had encouraged her to run, while dismissing criticisms of her performance during a debate. “She was honest,” Trump said, drawing laughter from the crowd with anecdotes about his friendship with Lindsey Graham. During a nearly two-hour speech, Trump focused on highlighting his achievements during his second term and urged Republicans to vote heavily in November to prevent Democrats from stealing the election. “If we don’t win, you’ll lose everything, and I will have another impeachment,” he warned, accusing liberals of hating the country and being communist extremists. He called for a victory against communism, emphasizing the need to defeat the opposition. His remarks were interrupted twice by protesters who were quickly removed from the scene. Trump’s involvement in the midterm race comes after months of downplaying their significance. Despite this, he has now fully committed himself to supporting Republican candidates, though his efforts have been limited so far. The president has made few appearances at rallies and invested little financial support through his Super PAC, Maga Inc., into the campaigns of conservative candidates. This lack of engagement has raised concerns among party members, particularly in key states such as Texas, where Governor Ken Paxton faces a tough challenge against Democratic candidate James Talarico. As the November election approaches, Trump remains distracted by other issues, including the ongoing conflict with Iran and his ambitious plans to beautify Washington by constructing a new ballroom at the White House. Construction work on the project has begun, and the Supreme Court recently granted a temporary stay allowing the work to continue pending a final ruling. However, Trump's immigration policies have faced setbacks, with a federal judge overturning his executive order banning visas for citizens of 75 countries, citing its violation of the law. The political landscape appears increasingly challenging for Republicans, with polls suggesting a Democratic advantage in the House of Representatives and the potential for a sweeping loss that could significantly weaken Trump’s influence during his remaining time in office. While Trump aims to avoid such an outcome, his current level of involvement in the midterm race remains uncertain, raising questions about his ability to effectively mobilize his base ahead of the critical voting period.