Trump sets off on midterm blitz – are his trademark rallies a liability for Republicans?

Donald Trump embarked on a 32-day campaign blitz this week, holding rallies across the country to support Republican candidates ahead of next month's midterm elections. However, some within his own party worry his signature rallies—which have numbered roughly a thousand since 2015—may now hurt Republican chances, citing his all-time low approval ratings and voter anger over the cost of living, foreign policy, and immigration enforcement.

Political strategist Steve Schmidt warned that while the rallies have long anchored Trump's brand, they have become a "lead weight" dragging down Republican candidates, as voters have grown tired of Trump-focused campaigns. Schmidt noted Trump is surrounded by advisers encouraging more rallies rather than fewer, even as Republicans increasingly view him as a liability rather than an asset in 2024 midterm races.