Trump and Vance cancel rally stops ahead of midterms

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance canceled several campaign events in the final days before the midterm elections.

Trump dropped two in-person rallies scheduled for Kansas on Saturday and Iowa on Sunday. The Republican National Committee announced that he will instead conduct tele-rallies by phone. The party expects him to reach voters in at least 19 states during a 72-hour push before Tuesday's vote. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in a statement that the sprint will provide a major boost in the closing days of the campaign. Trump had planned to visit 35 locations to encourage Republican turnout.

Trump has already held 25 rallies this month. He acknowledged the physical toll of the schedule while speaking in Corinth, Mississippi, on Monday. He told the crowd that God did not design vocal cords for a rally every day. On Thursday in Rock Hill, South Carolina, he defended his stamina to a reporter who asked if he was tired of traveling. Trump, who is 80 years old, replied that he feels perfect after two weeks of continuous campaigning.

Vance canceled a news conference planned for Friday in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was scheduled to speak with other officials about the administration's War on Fraud initiative. Vance leads the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, but the White House did not specify a reason for the cancellation.

The schedule changes happen as Trump's approval rating drops to historic lows. Voters express frustration over high gasoline prices and the ongoing war with Iran. Prediction markets and forecasters indicate Democrats are favored to take control of both chambers of Congress. The NBC News average of national polls shows 52% of Americans prefer Democratic control of Congress, while 43% favor Republican control.

Trump will still hold a rally in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday. No events are currently scheduled for Monday, the final day of the campaign.