President Donald Trump is set to campaign in deep-red states, including Alabama and Oklahoma, as part of an October midterm campaign push, according to multiple outlets.
The move is notable because Trump had previously said he would campaign in midterm battleground states, but he is instead starting his tour in states that reliably vote Republican, according to the Associated Press and Breitbart.
Politico and The Washington Post reported that the trip is part of a broader blitz that will include several other deep-red states.
Some outlets framed the choice of location in the context of Republican political standing ahead of the midterms; The Daily Beast described it as Trump being 'forced' to rush to these states amid declining MAGA support, while The Washington Post said the GOP is 'playing defense.'
How each side covered it
Left
- Multiple outlets highlighted that Trump promised to campaign in competitive battlegrounds but is instead starting in deep-red Alabama and Oklahoma.
- The Daily Beast framed the rally schedule as Trump being 'forced' into safe states amid declining MAGA support.
- The Washington Post and Politico described the moves as part of a broader October campaign blitz while the GOP 'plays defense.'
- AP and CBS News reported the basic scheduling facts of the rallies in Alabama and Oklahoma.
“Donald Trump Forced to Rush to Deep-Red States as MAGA Nosedives” — The Daily Beast
Center
- The Hill reported straightforwardly that Trump will campaign in the deep-red states of Oklahoma and Alabama.
“Trump to campaign in deep-red Oklahoma, Alabama” — The Hill
Right
- Breitbart used the same AP-sourced framing, noting Trump pledged to campaign in midterm battlegrounds but is beginning in deep-red states instead.
“Trump said he would campaign in midterm battlegrounds. He's starting in deep red states instead” — Breitbart
Questions readers ask
What did Trump say about his midterm campaign plans?
Donald Trump had said he would campaign in midterm battleground states, but he is instead starting his campaign tour in deep-red states such as Alabama and Oklahoma, according to the Associated Press and Breitbart.
Which states will Trump visit first?
Trump is scheduled to hold rallies in Alabama and Oklahoma, according to CBS News and The Hill, as part of a wider blitz through several deep-red states reported by Politico.
Why does this matter for the midterms?
The choice to campaign in safe Republican states rather than competitive ones has drawn attention because it raises questions about Republican political strength heading into the midterms, a point emphasized by left-leaning outlets like The Daily Beast and The Washington Post.
How did left- and right-leaning outlets differ in their coverage?
Left-leaning outlets such as The Daily Beast and The Washington Post framed the trip as a sign of Republican vulnerability, with phrases like Trump being 'forced' to campaign there and the GOP 'playing defense,' while right-leaning outlet Breitbart and center outlet The Hill reported the itinerary change more plainly without that framing.
Sources · 8 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaningTrump said he would campaign in midterm battlegrounds. He's starting in deep red states instead
- CBS NewsLeft-leaningTrump to hold midterm rallies in Alabama and Oklahoma
- PBS NewsHourLeft-leaningTrump promised to campaign in midterm battlegrounds. He's starting in deep red states instead
- PoliticoLeft-leaningTrump will hit several deep-red states in October campaign blitz
- The Daily BeastLeft-leaningDonald Trump Forced to Rush to Deep-Red States as MAGA Nosedives
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningTrump to campaign in deep-red states as GOP plays defense
- The HillCenterTrump to campaign in deep-red Oklahoma, Alabama
- BreitbartRight-leaningTrump said he would campaign in midterm battlegrounds. He’s starting in deep red states instead