Final Weekend Brings Rallying for Trump and Attacks on Michigan Senator

More than 52 million votes have already been cast in the 2026 midterm elections, leaving tens of millions of ballots still outstanding as candidates launch their final campaigns. President Donald Trump took to the road this weekend for a final push in the heartland, holding dozens of in-person and tele-rallies during October alone. Despite acknowledging the fatigue of the campaign, the President maintained an optimistic outlook on Republican prospects. "I think we're going to surprise a lot of people. You know why? Because of the rallies. Those rallies are hot," Trump said in a recent appearance.

The President’s confidence contrasts with the caution expressed by some fellow Republicans. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas warned that the margins are razor-thin. "We could lose Texas, and, by the way, not just the Senate race. We could lose every single statewide race in Texas. That's how close these numbers are," Cruz stated. The uncertainty has intensified scrutiny on key battlegrounds, particularly Michigan, where the Democratic Senate candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, faces a contentious final stretch.

El-Sayed, a physician who would become the first sitting Muslim senator if he wins, has drawn sharp criticism from Republican leaders. Senator Cruz argued that El-Sayed's historical ties to the Muslim Brotherhood pose a security risk. "If I am correct that he is a passionate supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, there is a very real risk that Americans will die as a result," Cruz said. President Trump echoed these concerns, declaring, "Michigan does not need a senator who's on the side of the terrorists." Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio went further, questioning the candidate's religious compatibility with the American system.

Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is not running for reelection, joined the campaign effort by hosting tele-rallies for El-Sayed and other Democrats in Michigan and Maine this weekend. Sanders argued that the national economic crisis is driving voter anger. He noted that Elon Musk now owns more wealth than the bottom 53 percent of American households, a disparity that fuels frustration among voters struggling with groceries and rent. "People are disgusted and frustrated with an economy in which the billionaires have never ever had it so good," Sanders said.

The Michigan race has also been marred by internal Democratic friction. Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who lost the primary, has publicly expressed misgivings about backing El-Sayed, citing concerns over campaign ads and his views on Israel. Sanders defended El-Sayed, stating that he had no control over the specific ads in question. However, he criticized the Republican ads running in the state, calling them "disgusting, racist, fearmongering ads" that label El-Sayed a jihadist.

The debate extends to the role of religion in politics. Sanders, a Jew, addressed the tension between criticizing the Israeli government and accusations of antisemitism. He argued that opposing the right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu is not the same as opposing the Jewish people. "To be critical of a racist, extremist government in Israel, and to say that American taxpayers should not spend a nickel supporting that government is not antisemitism," Sanders said.

Attention also turned to Alaska, where a dispute over the ballot order for the U.S. Senate race has created a potential legal challenge. Republican Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana claimed fraud was perpetrated against Alaskans, while incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan indicated he would accept the results. The Justice Department has stated it may challenge the certification of the election. Sanders acknowledged the Democratic effort to stack the ballot was "pretty dumb" but maintained it was not illegal.

As the weekend winds down, candidates continue to mobilize voters in final battleground states. Sanders focused on Florida and Minnesota, arguing that his party's issues resonate with working-class voters in those regions. In Florida, independent candidate Angie Nixon is running a grassroots campaign that Sanders believes has a real chance of winning the general election. The next few days will determine whether these final pushes can shift the balance of power in Washington.

The election results will begin to emerge in the hours following the close of polls. Candidates have scheduled final appearances to urge supporters to head to the polls. The race remains tight in multiple states, with no clear favorite in several key Senate contests.