Foto: BB.LV / трамп
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up a major campaign effort ahead of the midterm elections, holding final rallies in Iowa and Kansas—states where Republicans have suddenly faced fierce competition. Speaking in Dubuque, Iowa, before the vote that will determine control of the Capitol, Trump expressed confidence in success and urged voters to elect supporters of the 'America First' agenda across the board. Later, his Air Force One plane landed in Kansas, where the White House is trying to save the position of Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who is facing a tough battle against popular Democratic candidate Pastor Adam Hamilton. The current elections are seen as a crucial referendum on Trump's second term: polls show a decline in his ratings amid public discontent over the high cost of living and tense foreign policy. If the Democratic Party manages to regain control of at least one chamber of Congress, it will gain the ability to block legislative initiatives from the Trump administration, manage the federal budget, and initiate investigations against the White House. Meanwhile, the main shock in the final hours of the Senate race has been an unprecedented split in the Democratic camp in the key state of Michigan. Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens publicly refused to support her party's official nominee, progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed, and sensationally announced that she would vote for his opponent—Republican Mike Rogers. Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the party primaries in August, made this move after the leadership of the progressive campaign effectively sidelined her from joint events due to deep disagreements over U.S. aid to Israel. Donald Trump immediately reacted to this event during his speech in Iowa, publicly praising Stevens for her 'courage' and openly inviting her to join the Republican Party. At the same time, the president launched personal attacks on El-Sayed, calling the practicing Muslim a 'jihadist' and stating that if he won in the Senate, special metal detectors would need to be installed. Abdul El-Sayed himself ignored these attacks, stating that he is focused solely on the issues facing voters and combating inflation.
