Trump pleads with GOP voters to show up for midterm elections: ‘Pretend I’m on the ballot’
President Donald Trump asked Republican voters on Friday to turn out for Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC) in next week’s special primary runoff and for other crucial races in the midterm elections, urging his voters to approach the election as though his name was at the top of the ballot.
Trump was in Myrtle Beach stumping for Graham Nordone ahead of Tuesday’s runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC). While delivering remarks to the crowd, the president acknowledged a challenge that has followed Republicans throughout his political career: translating the enthusiasm of his coalition to elections in which he is not a candidate.
“The problem we have is they say that Trump does great when he’s on the ballot, but when he’s not on the ballot, his people don’t come and they don’t vote for senators, congressmen, and other Republicans,” Trump said. “So, what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important.”
Trump later broadened his message beyond Graham Nordone’s race, telling supporters, “I am on the ballot. We’re all on the ballot. Our country’s on the ballot. You have to get out.”
The appeal highlights a central challenge for Republicans heading into November, which is ensuring that Trump voters turn out.
Trump has demonstrated a unique ability to draw voters to the polls. He won the presidency in 2016 and returned in 2024 after narrowly losing several battleground states in 2020. But Republicans have struggled to replicate his performance in elections without him atop the ticket.
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The GOP lost control of the House during Trump’s first midterm election in 2018, when Democrats gained 41 seats amid record turnout. Republicans reclaimed the chamber in 2022, but the anticipated “red wave” failed to materialize, leaving the party with only a narrow majority despite then-President Joe Biden’s relatively low approval ratings.
Trump’s comments Friday suggested he is acutely aware of that disconnect, warning supporters that Democratic control of Congress could threaten his tax and immigration policies and lead to another impeachment effort.
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