Trump cancels final scheduled U.S. midterm campaign rallies

Donald Trump’s late-stage midterm push hit a sudden change of course, with the Republican Party announcing the US president will drop two of his final in-person rallies even as he snapped at a reporter who questioned whether constant travel was wearing him down.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) said the events planned for Kansas and Iowa will be replaced by a “large number” of virtual “telerallies” spanning a series of states.

Republicans are fighting to keep control of Congress in the 3 November midterms.

In an effort to drive turnout despite his poor approval ratings, Mr Trump has urged candidates and voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot,” framing the contests as a referendum on his presidency.

“With Republicans in a strong position in Kansas and Iowa, previously planned in-person rallies in those states will no longer take place as scheduled,” the RNC statement said.

Mr Trump’s final election rally is now set for Florida on Friday.

Even as the oldest elected president in US history, Mr Trump has maintained a punishing pace, holding near-daily rallies throughout October to boost Republicans ahead of the midterms.

But he bristled when a reporter asked whether Saturday’s Kansas rally was being scrapped because he was “sick of travelling.”

“You’re sick to ask that question. You are sick,” Mr Trump shot back after returning to Washington from a campaign trip to South Carolina.

“I feel perfect. You are disgusting. Put yourself in shape, you look like hell,” he added.