Trump escalates rhetoric with conspiracy theories at final campaign rallies

During the rallies, Trump repeatedly referenced Democratic US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, falsely claiming he is a “jihadist” and suggesting metal detectors would be necessary in the Senate chamber if he were elected. He also asserted, without providing evidence, that El-Sayed is connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization the US has designated as having foreign terrorist branches.

Trump urged attendees to vote, framing the election as a referendum on his own presidency. “We’ll have a hundred senators, and most of them will go directly [into the Senate]… We’re gonna have to get a special metal detector for Abdul,” he stated, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

He also made comments regarding Democratic Representative Haley Stevens, expressing a desire for her to switch parties, and attacked US Representative Ilhan Omar, repeating unfounded claims about her family relationships.

In Kansas, Trump criticized Democratic Senate hopeful Adam Hamilton, a church pastor, for his stance on transgender rights, characterizing him as inauthentic.

The rallies, initially canceled and then abruptly rescheduled, were met with interruptions from hecklers.

Trump’s speeches also addressed topics including the US-Israel relationship with Iran, inflation, immigration, perceived media bias, and the performance of former President Joe Biden’s administration.

Both Iowa and Kansas, typically Republican-leaning states, are considered potential targets for Democratic gains in the upcoming elections. Kansas has five federal congressional seats at stake, including a Senate seat and four House seats, while Iowa’s Senate race is considered highly competitive, with two state representative seats also potentially shifting to Democratic control.