Washington DC: US President Donald Trump stepped up his criticism of Democrats over taxation, voter identification and border security during a campaign rally in Kansas, urging supporters to back Republicans in the November 3 midterm elections as the party faces a tough fight to retain control of Congress.
Addressing supporters on Sunday (local time), Trump accused Democrats of voting against key tax relief measures, including exemptions on tips, overtime earnings and Social Security benefits for senior citizens. He also alleged that the opposition party was against stricter voter identification requirements and stronger border enforcement.
“Every single ‘Dumocrat’ in Congress voted against No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and No Tax on Social Security for our great seniors. They voted against voter ID, proof of citizenship, and securing the border,” Trump said.
The President launched another scathing attack on Democrats, accusing them of planning significant tax increases and policies that he claimed would undermine law enforcement, personal savings and Americans’ way of life.
“Democrats want to raise your taxes by trillions of dollars, defund the police, abolish oil and natural gas, wipe out your life savings, bankrupt your family, take away your guns, mutilate your children, and destroy your way of life,” he added.
Trump also highlighted his administration’s proposed legislative priorities, promising tougher action against large-scale drug trafficking, human trafficking and crimes targeting law enforcement personnel. He further reiterated his support for stricter voter identification and proof-of-citizenship requirements.
“We will win the war on corruption and fraud, led by our great Vice President. We will pass the death penalty for large-scale drug dealers, human traffickers, and anyone who kills a police officer. We will pass voter ID, proof of citizenship, and the Save America Act,” he said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also addressed the gathering, praised Trump’s national security record, describing public safety as the most important responsibility of a president.
“The most important job every President does is keep you and your families safe – and no President in my lifetime has done that better than the one we have right now,” Rubio said.
Republicans Face Tough Midterm Battle
The Kansas rally comes as Republicans intensify their campaign ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of both chambers of the US Congress and serve as a crucial political test for Trump’s presidency.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are scheduled to be contested in the elections.
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to secure control of the Senate, where a 51-seat majority includes two independents who caucus with the party. In the House, they need to flip three seats to reach the 218-seat threshold required for a majority.
The electoral contest is unfolding amid growing concerns over the cost of living and declining public approval of Trump’s performance.
According to the NBC News polling average cited in its midterm election coverage, Trump’s approval rating stood at 38%, while 60% of respondents disapproved of his performance. On the question of congressional control, 52% of Americans preferred a Democrat-controlled Congress, compared with 44% who favoured Republican control.
Democrats Gain Ground In Key Senate Battlegrounds
Recent New York Times/Siena University battleground polls also indicated a challenging electoral landscape for Republicans, with Democrats leading in several Republican-held Senate races.
The surveys found Democratic candidates ahead in Texas, Kansas, Maine, Ohio and Alaska, while the Iowa Senate contest remained effectively tied. Democrats were also leading in Michigan, where they currently hold the Senate seat.
The polls further highlighted the growing importance of economic concerns, with Democrats holding a nine-percentage-point advantage over Republicans on the issue of the cost of living.
Trump’s approval rating among likely voters across the seven battleground states surveyed was also recorded at just 38%.
However, the surveys pointed to potential opportunities for Republicans, with a significant number of voters still undecided. Among those who said they would make their voting decision in the final month before the elections, Republicans held a nine-percentage-point advantage.
The findings suggest that economic pressures, particularly the cost of living, alongside public perceptions of Trump’s presidency, could play a decisive role in determining the outcome.
While Trump has sought to rally Republican support around tax relief, border security, law enforcement and stricter voting requirements, Democrats appear to be gaining ground in several closely contested races.
With control of Congress hanging in the balance, the November 3 midterms are set to be a major test of Trump’s political standing and the Republican Party’s ability to retain its legislative majority two years into his return to the White House.
