'Can’t take a chance': Trump campaigns for Cindy Hyde-Smith amid Republican midterm worries

US President Donald Trump has vowed to overcome the historical trend of the ruling party losing ground in midterm elections, using a rally in Mississippi to campaign for Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith ahead of the November 3 polls.

Addressing supporters in Corinth on Monday, Trump claimed his rallies had changed the political conversation around the midterms, expressing confidence that Republicans could defy expectations despite concerns over voter enthusiasm and the cost of living. “For some reason, presidents don’t do well in the midterm, no matter how good they are, even if they’re great, like us,” Trump said, adding that no president had campaigned as extensively for midterm elections as he had. According to CNN, Trump acknowledged that he could not afford to take Hyde-Smith’s Senate seat for granted, despite Mississippi being a traditionally Republican state. “I’m here because Cindy’s doing great, but I just got to make sure. I can’t take a chance,” Trump said.

During the rally, Trump portrayed the US economy as thriving, repeatedly describing the country as experiencing a “golden age” of prosperity. However, he made little mention of inflation and rising gasoline prices, which have added to concerns over household expenses. Trump defended his administration’s handling of the war with Iran, claiming that the US had inflicted a major defeat on the Islamic Republic and arguing that the resulting increase in gas prices would be temporary. He also pointed to stock market gains as evidence that his economic policies were working, urging voters to consider their retirement savings before casting their ballots. “Your 401ks are 60% higher,” Trump said while making his case for Hyde-Smith. He encouraged supporters who were uncertain about voting for the senator to check their retirement accounts. The president's remarks came as Republicans face concerns about enthusiasm among their supporters, while Democrats seek to capitalise on opposition to Trump's policies ahead of the midterm elections.

Trump's campaign schedule across Republican-leaning states appeared to take a toll on his voice during the Mississippi appearance. He joked about the strain of holding rallies almost daily, saying God had not made vocal cords for such an intense schedule. The president also discussed his renovation work at the White House, a subject that has drawn criticism from former president Barack Obama. Responding to Obama's remarks about his focus on renovations, Trump said the former president did not understand the importance of maintaining the building. “The White House has to be clean, pristine, beautiful,” Trump said, defending the work. Trump's speech at the Crossroads Arena in Corinth drew a sizeable crowd, although CNN reported that large sections of the venue had emptied by the time he was wrapping up. The rally formed part of Trump's broader effort to help Republicans retain their congressional seats as the November 3 midterm elections approach. Historically, the president's party tends to lose seats in Congress during midterm elections, making the contests a key test of the administration's political standing.