OCTOBER 20, 2026 07:27

Updated: OCTOBER 20, 2026 07:28

President Donald Trump on Monday invoked the violent scenes from France to criticize Democrats while campaigning to protect a Kansas Senate seat that Republicans have held for decades but now risk losing.

His appearance supporting incumbent Roger Marshall came amid efforts to shore up GOP candidates in states facing backlash over the Iran conflict and higher living costs.

"I love you Kansas, but I'm here for a guy named Roger Marshall," Trump said.

Trump added a fresh element to his standard remarks by linking French demonstrations to potential US chaos if Republicans lose, though he offered no supporting proof.

France has endured intense street actions in recent days, with large demonstrations over living expenses and strained public services turning into violence and theft.

Trump has faced ongoing difficulty keeping everyday costs down for American families.

During the address, he returned to familiar themes targeting immigration and Islam that marked his earlier presidential runs.

"We're not going to let that happen to this country," he said. "When you see burning steeples and raging fires in France, just remember that is what the radical Dumocrats want to do to America."

Trump continues to use the term Dumocrats for his opponents. Advocacy groups have long faulted his language for singling out and ridiculing immigrants and minority communities, arguing it encourages bias.

Kansas competition

Kansas, which Trump carried by 16 points in 2024, has not sent a Democrat to the Senate in nearly a century. Marshall faces a tight contest against Democrat Adam Hamilton, a Methodist pastor who opposes Trump's tariffs and criticizes his unpredictable style.

"He wants you to repent for being born White," Trump said of Hamilton.

Marshall focused his remarks on cultural matters such as halting "radical Islam" and labeled Hamilton "too woke" for supporting gay pride events, drawing loud disapproval from attendees.

"We need someone who can sort heifers and steers," he said.

Hamilton's campaign responded by calling the Marshall effort "sinking."

"Nothing said at the rally can distract from the fact that Kansans are being crushed by rising gas and diesel prices, struggling to access affordable healthcare, and are tired of Washington corruption," spokesperson Tyson Brody said.

In a video released Monday, Hamilton greeted Trump to the state and noted his backers have "a place" in the campaign, pledging cooperation where beneficial while defending rural interests against harmful federal policies.

The close race highlights broader Republican struggles heading into the November 3 midterms as they seek to keep Senate and House majorities despite unfavorable conditions.

Trump is in the midst of a 32-day push, often visiting areas he won comfortably before.

One GOP insider noted the focus on rural regions stems from polling showing weaker backing among men under 55 in those areas, a key group from 2024.

US voters' economic concerns

A Reuters/Ipsos survey released Monday showed just 31 percent approval for Trump's job performance, his lowest mark yet.

Democrats require a net pickup of four seats in each chamber to flip the current narrow Republican edges.

At the Park City event near Wichita, supporters walked over a mile across Interstate 135 to the venue beneath a sign showing $3.98 for gas and $5.78 for diesel.

Those figures reflect roughly a 45 percent increase from state averages a year earlier, per AAA data.

Cost-of-living worries stood out among core Trump backers.

"Being on disability, I don't have much, but it seems like the prices are still going up and they need to come down. It feels like you're having to search or hunt for food," said Monique Mullen, 59, a Republican from Hutchinson who cares for her father.

A small group of demonstrators appeared nearby, among them James Nightingale, an independent from Halstead.

"I'm a farmer from Kansas and the Trump administration has decimated the farm economy in my area. Not only have his tariffs decimated our markets for grain sales, now he is bringing in imported beef from outside the country. What happened to 'America First'?" he said.

Kansans have shown openness to crossing party lines, electing Democrat Laura Kelly as governor twice. "I don't think it's ever easy to get elected here," said Gina Seman, a Trump supporter from Towanda, adding that past GOP candidates sometimes assumed victory too quickly.