Trump Closes Out a Campaign Built on Fear, Anger and Division
But a divided Congress would present a profound challenge to his presidency for the last two years of his term, making the prospect of major legislation even more distant and opening a period of partisan warfare led by subpoena-powered Democratic committee leaders intent on investigating everything from his taxes to Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election.
[Meet the Democratic leaders whose House committees could torment President Trump.]
For his last campaign swing of this cycle, Mr. Trump was heading first to Cleveland, where an intense governor’s race will decide which party controls state government in a place Mr. Trump must win if he hopes to secure a second term in two years.
From there, he planned to fly to Fort Wayne, Ind., where Republicans have hopes of knocking off a Democratic senator, Joe Donnelly. And he was to end his day with a late-night rally in Cape Girardeau, on behalf of the Republican Josh Hawley’s efforts to defeat Senator Claire McCaskill.
In addition to Mr. Limbaugh, Mr. Trump’s campaign initially announced on Sunday that Sean Hannity, his friend and Fox News host, would also appear with the president. But Mr. Hannity denied that on Monday, saying he would only be interviewing Mr. Trump and covering the rally. “To be clear, I will not be on stage campaigning with the President,” Mr. Hannity wrote on Twitter.
Even before leaving the White House, Mr. Trump took to Twitter to cheer on select Republican allies and trash-talk some favorite Democratic targets. He previewed his evening attack on Ms. McCaskill. “No matter what she says, Senator Claire McCaskill will always vote against us and the Great State of Missouri!” he wrote.
He also went after Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, whom he called “an automatic far left vote, controlled by her bosses,” and Andrew Gillum, the Democratic candidate for governor in Florida, who he said would make his state “a crime ridden, overtaxed mess.” He also posted endorsements of Republicans like Representative Claudia Tenney of New York and Dana Rohrabacher of California, whom he called “respected by all.”
He also returned to another favorite target, the news media, claiming the polls this year were intended to discourage Republicans from voting.
“So funny to see the CNN Fake Suppression Polls and false rhetoric,” he wrote. “Watch for real results Tuesday. We are lucky CNN’s ratings are so low. Don’t fall for the Suppression Game. Go out & VOTE. Remember, we now have perhaps the greatest Economy (JOBS) in the history of our Country!”