Trump Targets California Ballots as Midterm Campaigns Close

With the 2026 US midterm elections approaching, President Donald Trump has intensified his political efforts on several fronts, including a request for Supreme Court intervention over California ballots and a final campaign push for Republican candidates. The developments come as Democrats report favorable polling in several competitive Senate races.

Trump is asking the Supreme Court to require California to separate potentially thousands of ballots that the Justice Department claims may have been cast by noncitizens. Several lower courts have already rejected the administration's efforts, making the request a significant legal challenge ahead of the election.

The president has also warned that he would "veto everything" if Democrats regain control of Congress, while Republicans face concerns about voter enthusiasm and public dissatisfaction over the Iran war and rising prices.

In Michigan, Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed avoided directly addressing Representative Haley Stevens' unexpected endorsement of Republican candidate Mike Rogers during a campaign appearance in Ypsilanti. He said he did not "think much about my former opponent" and preferred to concentrate on issues affecting Michigan residents, particularly younger voters.

El-Sayed emphasized his strategy of reaching more voters and explaining the differences between the candidates.

"Like those are the things I think a lot about. And I know that when we have that conversation in as many places as we can, that people who see the moment and see what the current administration and their lackey, Mike Rogers, want to do in the future, they’re going to choose a different way," El-Sayed told reporters.

He also described voter engagement as his response to concerns about the campaign's political challenges.

"So, if I ever feel any anxiety about this thing, I just try to figure out how to talk to more people and make sure folks understand what we’re running for," El-Sayed said.

Trump concluded his midterm campaign tour with a rally in Kansas on Sunday night, urging Republican supporters to vote on Tuesday. He warned that a Democratic victory could give the opposition control of Washington for the next two years.

Before delivering his political message, Trump paused to admire the appearance of a new aircraft gifted by Qatar.

"You mind if I take a couple of minutes to look at it?" Trump asked the crowd.

He then praised the aircraft while addressing the audience.

"What a beauty that is," Trump said.

The Kansas appearance marked the end of a 30-rally campaign tour conducted over the previous month. Trump used the events to support Republican candidates and encourage turnout, although his speeches also frequently shifted toward personal subjects.

During his final rally, Trump criticized Democrats and warned that they would reverse his administration's achievements if they regained congressional control.

He described Democrats as "a party that hates America" and accused them of being "communists and jihadists." He also urged supporters to "pretend I’m on the ballot," highlighting his effort to generate enthusiasm among Republican voters.

Trump reflected on his campaign appearances as the election approached its final stage.

"The rallies we’ve had, unprecedented," Trump said.

He followed that statement with another assessment of the campaign gatherings.

"There’s never been anything like it," Trump said.

In Texas, Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton changed the planned destination of his final campaign bus tour. His campaign had initially announced that the tour, called the "Come and Take It" tour, would conclude Monday at the Alamo in San Antonio.

The campaign had described the tour as carrying "the same spirit" as the historic Texas Revolution battle site. However, Paxton subsequently confirmed that Allen, a Dallas suburb more than 300 miles away, would host the final event.

Paxton confirmed the revised destination during a radio interview on Monday morning.

"It’s been pretty amazing getting around this state for the last 17 days, nonstop," Paxton said.

His campaign did not explain the change. The Alamo Trust, which manages the historic site, prohibits events that are "political in nature." Paxton had already held a Sunday night rally in San Antonio, although the event did not take place at the Alamo.

The change prompted criticism from the Texas Democratic Party, whose spokesperson Ryan Martin used the site's historical slogan to criticize the Republican candidate.

"Remember the Alamo, and in 2 more days Texas can finally forget Ken Paxton," Martin said in a Sunday statement.

In New York, Vice President JD Vance faced chants targeting Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul during a campaign appearance in Rome on Monday. The crowd repeatedly shouted "Ditch the Witch" as it expressed opposition to the governor.

Vance said he did not support the message but repeated the crowd's words while addressing the audience.

"I don’t endorse it, but for those who can’t hear it, they’re chanting ‘Ditch the Witch’ on TV," Vance said.

He subsequently connected the chants to Halloween celebrations while continuing to address the audience.

"That’s a proper and appropriate Halloween message," Vance said.

Vance continued discussing the chant while maintaining that he was not necessarily endorsing it.

"I’m not necessarily endorsing it. I wouldn’t want anybody to think that I would, I would necessarily say that, but ditch the witch," Vance said.

Vance identified Monday as his final day campaigning before the midterms. He planned another rally in his home state of Ohio, while Trump was scheduled to deliver the closing Republican campaign remarks at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Meanwhile, New York Times/Siena polling showed Democrats leading in five of seven key battleground states considered important to determining control of the Senate. The available surveys suggested favorable conditions for Democrats, although polling remains subject to potential errors.