Trump launches election campaign offensive before the US midterms and criticizes his own public relations work

A good month before the important parliamentary elections, US President Donald Trump launched a campaign offensive and, at least in one respect, also expressed self-critical tones. During a speech to employees of a truck manufacturer in Denton, Texas, he made it clear that he seemed to be aware of his long-term poor popularity ratings.

As usual, he praised his own politics in the highest tones. At the same time, he also emphasized that public relations work was going poorly. The US President said that they were doing “phenomenal work”, but perhaps they weren’t selling it well.

Trump had already emphasized to reporters that he would travel around the country and campaign in the remaining weeks before the so-called midterms. His appearance in Denton marked the start of this, and Trump also traveled to the US state of Oklahoma that same evening (local time). “I am there with all my heart - more than ever,” emphasized Trump in Texas. “I think we will win.”

What's at stake for Trump in the midterms

On November 3rd, Americans will re-elect around a third of the senators and the entire House of Representatives in the midterm elections. Trump's Republicans currently hold a slim majority in both chambers of Congress. However, according to surveys, his politics have long been unpopular in his own country, among other things following the fuel price increases as a result of the Iran war.

The Democrats can hope to at least take back the House of Representatives. If they succeed, they could, among other things, block Trump's legislative initiatives and initiate investigations.

Despite his poor popularity ratings, the US President has repeatedly declared the midterm elections to be a vote about himself. “Please act as if I were running,” he called on his supporters at the Republican Party Convention in Dallas a few weeks ago. The US President continues to rely on his charisma and hopes to mobilize his supporters to vote even if he himself is not on the ballot.

Former Republican stronghold Texas is shaking

In Texas, Trump tried again to campaign for Republican Ken Paxton. The candidate supported by the US President wants to enter the Senate - but he is by no means certain of victory in the former Republican stronghold of Texas. The Democrats are hoping to take the seat from the Republicans with their candidate James Talarico.

Trump also made it clear in Denton that there is a lot at stake for his party there: "We need Ken so badly, and that's why I'm here." If his opponent Talarico wins the contested race, he would be the first Democratic senator from Texas in more than three decades.