Brief

Trump reinstates Kansas and Iowa rallies after abrupt cancellation

The White House said the president feels fine and will hold back‑to‑back Midwest rallies after a day‑long reversal.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 01 Nov 2026 01:26:08 GMT

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will hold in‑person rallies in Kansas and Iowa on Sunday, reversing a cancellation announced less than 24 hours earlier, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

What happened

The Republican National Committee had said the two rallies would be dropped in favor of telephone events on October 30. On October 31, a White House official told reporters the rallies were "back on" and that Trump would travel to the Midwest states on Sunday (U.S. time). The announcement came after Trump responded angrily to a reporter’s question about his health, calling the reporter "disgusting" and "look[ing] like hell".

What the reports add

The article notes that a White House Rapid Response account posted screenshots of the reporter’s Instagram video, mocking his appearance. It also cites a CNN/SSRS poll showing Democrat Adam Hamilton leading Republican incumbent Roger Marshall 49‑45 in Kansas, a state that has not elected a Democratic senator in 94 years. The piece mentions that Democrats need four net Senate seats to take control, while Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the House.

What was said

"Rallies are BACK ON!" a White House official said on Friday, according to the report. Trump told Reuters reporter Jacob Bogage, "You’re sick to ask that question… Look at how badly … You are disgusting, put yourself in shape, you look like hell," after being asked whether the Kansas rally was cancelled because he was "sick of travel". Trump later said, "You’ve been following me for two weeks; I feel perfect," denying any health issues.

How it came about

Earlier this week, Felo News reported that Trump cancelled the two rallies and would shift to tele‑rallies (trump-cancels-midterm-rallies-tele-rallies). The reversal follows a heated exchange with a reporter and a rapid‑response social‑media push by the White House. The decision arrives amid tight Senate races in Kansas and Iowa, where polls suggest Democrats are gaining ground.

Key facts

President Donald Trump announced in‑person rallies in Kansas and Iowa for Sunday after cancelling them the day before. (smh.com.au)
A White House official said "Rallies are BACK ON!" on Friday. (smh.com.au)
Trump told Reuters reporter Jacob Bogage he felt "perfect" and dismissed health concerns. (smh.com.au)
A CNN/SSRS poll showed Democrat Adam Hamilton leading Republican Roger Marshall 49‑45 in Kansas. (smh.com.au)