Trump promised to campaign in midterm battlegrounds. He's starting in deep red states instead

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump plans to campaign in 35 key battleground districts ahead of the November midterm elections but will start October with rallies in strongly Republican Alabama and Oklahoma, highlighting his limited appeal in competitive areas.
• The rallies in Durant, Oklahoma, and Mobile, Alabama, are strategically chosen for their proximity to important media markets in Texas and Florida, aiming to boost turnout in critical neighboring states despite Trump's overall unpopularity.
• Some Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump due to his declining approval and controversial policies, while Democrats view the president's focus on safe red states as a sign of Republican vulnerability.
• Trump’s events are expected to draw enthusiastic crowds of loyal supporters, providing the president with energized backing as he seeks to activate low-propensity voters crucial for Republican success.
• Key races near the rally locations include competitive contests in Texas and Alabama, where Trump-backed candidates face strong Democratic challengers, reflecting a more difficult political landscape for Republicans this midterm cycle.