20 rallies in one month: Trump's red state sprint meets Obama's blue state counterattack

The final week of the midterm campaign has split the two most prominent figures in American politics across the map. President Donald Trump is holding a series of events in traditionally Republican states, while former President Barack Obama is campaigning in Democratic strongholds. Both men are attempting to lock in their respective bases before voters head to the polls next week.

Trump has conducted more than 20 rallies in the current month. His schedule includes stops in Mississippi and Texas, with plans for South Carolina, Florida, Kansas, and Iowa. This strategy reflects a defensive posture for the Republican Party, which is relying on party finances and the president's super PAC, MAGA Inc., to support its candidates. On Wednesday, Trump addressed a crowd in Chillicothe, Ohio, a city south of Columbus. He told supporters that high turnout would lead to a "tremendous victory." The event was interrupted by a protester shouting about Jeffrey Epstein, prompting Trump to state that he had expelled Epstein from Mar-a-Lago decades ago.

In suburban Atlanta, Obama campaigned alongside Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is seeking to become the first Black woman elected governor, and Senator Jon Ossoff. Obama criticized Trump for spending time on White House renovations, specifically mentioning gold medallions on the mantel. He also addressed recent backlash over a comment comparing the White House decor to a Cheesecake Factory. Obama noted that he had frequently dined at that chain during a decade of his life. Ossoff focused on the Trump Organization, describing the use of the presidency as a profit source as an unprecedented spectacle of grift, despite the White House stating that Trump's sons now control the business.

The campaign has also drawn attention to a procedural issue in the Alaska Senate race. Trump directed the Department of Justice to file a lawsuit last week to preemptively contest the outcome if Democratic challenger Mary Peltola wins. This action stems from the presence of a second candidate named Dan Sullivan, the same name as the Republican incumbent. Trump called the situation "voter fraud at the highest level" and warned Peltola she could face prosecution. Peltola's campaign stated it has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.

In Michigan, the Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers has been overshadowed by accusations of antisemitism. El-Sayed told a crowd in Wyandotte that the focus on his name is a distraction. He noted that Michiganders care more about what people pray for than how they pray. Senator Ted Cruz campaigned with Rogers in Birmingham, describing antisemitism as a poison ripping the country apart. Cruz said the Democratic Party is being taken over by self-proclaimed communists and Islamists. El-Sayed previously apologized for comments linking a synagogue attack in Detroit to Israel's actions in the Middle East, though his primary opponent's fiancé plans to back Rogers based on those remarks.

Trump and Obama are both leveraging their public profiles to shape the narrative. Trump has repeatedly claimed he won the 2020 presidential election, stating that he has not been a three-time winner for long. He also defended the White House's appearance, telling Obama that he does not understand cleanliness. The split strategy leaves both parties with distinct geographic focuses as the election date nears.