Trump Urges Voters to ‘Pretend He Is Running’ Ahead of November Midterm Elections

October 15, 2026

Washington: US President Donald Trump has urged Americans to treat the November 3 congressional midterm elections as though he were personally on the ballot, calling on Republican supporters to turn out in large numbers to protect his administration’s policies from a potential Democratic reversal.

Speaking at an election rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, and later addressing reporters before departing for Montana, Trump said he was undertaking an extensive campaign tour despite not being a candidate in the midterm elections.

“So essentially I’m saying, ‘Please pretend I’m running.’ And in a true sense, I am running because I don’t want them tearing down what we’ve built,” Trump told reporters.

Trump Plans 32-33 Campaign Rallies

The President said he expected to hold around 32 or 33 campaign rallies before the elections, describing the response from Republican supporters as extraordinary. He said he had already completed approximately eight rallies and was preparing for another major gathering in Montana.

“And, I wasn’t gonna do this, but, you know, we’re gonna end up doing about 32, 33 of them,” he said.

Trump argued that Republican voter turnout fell significantly when he was not personally contesting an election.

“When I don’t run, which, you know, in theory I’m not running, but I feel that I’m running. When I don’t run, we get 49 per cent less turnout,” he said.

He did not provide evidence to support the figure but maintained that his personal involvement was essential to the party’s electoral success.

At the Arizona rally, where he campaigned for Republican gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs, Trump made a similar appeal to supporters.

“So I’m here to say, please pretend I’m on the ballot,” he told the gathering.

Trump Warns of Democratic Control of Congress

Trump portrayed the midterm elections as a test of whether Americans wanted to preserve the economic, immigration and social policies introduced during his second term.

He warned that Democratic control of Congress could threaten Republican-backed tax measures, border enforcement policies and other priorities of his administration.

The President also made a conditional promise to distribute $5,000 to adult American citizens if Republicans retained control of both chambers of Congress. He said the proposed payment would be funded through tariff revenue and economic growth and would have to be spent within the United States.

However, Trump did not explain how the proposed payment would be authorised or administered.

Trump to Campaign in Montana, Michigan, Ohio and Texas

Trump said his campaign schedule included visits to Republican strongholds as well as states where congressional contests could influence control of Washington.

Asked why he was travelling to Montana, which he described as overwhelmingly supportive of him, Trump said he wanted to thank voters and help Republican candidates.

“Well, I probably, because I’m doing Michigan too, as you know. I’m doing Michigan in a few days. Montana, because we wanna make sure we win,” he said.

He also identified Ohio and Texas among the states he planned to visit. Trump predicted that his campaign appearances would generate enthusiasm among Republican supporters and help the party’s candidates.

The November 3 midterm elections will determine control of the US House of Representatives and a portion of the Senate. Although Trump is not on the ballot, the results will influence his administration’s ability to advance legislation and withstand congressional scrutiny during the remaining two years of his term.

Midterm elections have often proved challenging for the party occupying the White House. Losing either chamber can complicate a president’s legislative agenda, increase congressional oversight and shift the political balance in Washington ahead of the next presidential election.