President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold back-to-back campaign rallies in Texas on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, as polls show his approval rating at record lows. The events are scheduled for 3 p.m. ET in Corpus Christi and 7 p.m. ET in Lubbock, taking place less than two weeks before the midterm elections.
The rallies occur as recent polling indicates challenges for the Republican Party. A Reuters-Ipsos survey released on October 19 recorded the president’s approval at 31 percent, while a New York Times/Siena College poll from the same week placed it at 34 percent. The New York Times reported this as the lowest midterm approval rating for a president since Harry Truman’s 33 percent in 1946. President Trump has dismissed these results as "fake," stating that his actual approval rating is approximately 60 percent.
During campaign events over the last month, the 80-year-old president has addressed high gas prices by telling supporters in Georgia, “We’re making a freaking fortune.” He has also defended military action in Iran by stating that a nuclear-armed Iran could "take out" American cities. At a recent rally, Trump suggested that a Michigan Democrat, Abdul El-Sayed, should be required to pass through metal detectors at the U.S. Capitol.
The president's recent public appearances have included several verbal errors and comments. In Kentucky on October 17, Trump made remarks about Ohio Senator John Husted’s physical appearance, and one week later in Michigan, he made similar comments regarding rapper Nicki Minaj. He has also confused the names of two prizes he did not receive, stumbled over investment figures, and ordered federal agencies to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” While these instances have led to social media discussion regarding his health, the White House stated the president is in “excellent health” and working “nonstop.”
The current polling numbers coincide with competitive races, such as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who is in a tight contest for a U.S. Senate seat against Democrat James Talarico. With an approval rating between 31 and 34 percent, the president's standing comes as the GOP seeks to maintain seats in Congress and state offices.
Voters participating in the November midterms will determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Recent surveys suggest Republican losses are possible, which would shift the legislative agenda and oversight capabilities in Washington. Sources indicate that the cost of living and the war in Iran are primary sources of frustration for the electorate.
The results of these elections will also serve as a measure of the president's influence within his own party and his ability to mobilize his base despite his current standing in national polls. Following the rallies in Texas, the focus moves toward the final week of campaigning before the election. The final voter turnout remains to be seen.