Trump launches midterms campaign blitz amid record low approval ratings

What Happened

United States President Donald Trump launched a 32-day campaign tour ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, holding back-to-back rallies on Thursday in Denton, Texas and Durant, Oklahoma. He sought to shift focus from record low approval ratings, telling supporters 'I give us an A+ on the government, on economics, on everything.' An AP-NORC poll released the same day found 71 percent of Americans disapprove of the US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28, and only 26 percent approve of Trump's handling of the economy. The war has led Iran to stop commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, driving diesel prices above $6 per gallon and raising petrol costs. Trump claimed the war 'will be very quickly ended' and that energy prices will come down rapidly, though both sides have declared victory and a ceasefire remains elusive. He also touted his tariffs as job-creating and urged voters to 'pretend I'm on the ballot.'

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The midterm elections will determine control of the House and Senate, shaping Trump's legislative agenda and potential impeachment risk during the final two years of his term. Public disapproval of the US-Israel war on Iran and the resulting fuel price surge—driven by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz—is a central vulnerability for Republican candidates. Trump's campaign promises to end the war quickly and lower energy costs are unverified claims that could signal either policy shifts or election rhetoric, with significant implications for US-Iran dynamics and global energy markets.

Watch For

Monitor the November 3 midterm results, especially the Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico, and whether Republicans retain control of either chamber. Watch for any concrete ceasefire or military developments in the US-Israel war on Iran, changes in Strait of Hormuz traffic, and fuel price trends. Trump's upcoming campaign stops in Alabama, Ohio, and Nebraska may provide further indications of his war and economic messaging.