Trump Stumps in Mississippi to Defend Hyde-Smith Seat

President Donald Trump campaigned in Corinth, Mississippi, on Monday to support Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in her bid for reelection. The visit marks the start of an intensive final week of campaigning for Republicans facing tough contests in states they won in 2024.

The race against Democrat Scott Colom has become a focal point for national parties. Hyde-Smith is seeking a second full term in a state Trump won three times by an average of nearly 20 percentage points. Colom, a local prosecutor, aims to become Mississippi's first Black senator since the Reconstruction era. His campaign is leveraging voter discontent over inflation and the Iran war. Senate Democrats recently injected $1.2 million into the race through a super PAC.

Colom attended the rally site before Trump arrived. He spoke to supporters about the need for a senator who listens to their concerns. Trump described Colom as a Marxist radical and a shameless phony. The president’s voice was audibly hoarse during his speech, where he stated he could not take a chance on the outcome.

The Mississippi stop is part of a larger schedule for the president. He is planned to visit Texas, South Carolina, and Iowa in the coming days. Officials also announced a rally in Salina, Kansas, for Saturday, which will be his second visit to that state in two weeks.

Democrats are running parallel operations. Former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned in Wisconsin for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is challenging Rep. Tom Tiffany for governor. In Michigan, Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed distanced himself from an ad created by Rebellion PAC that linked high grocery prices to U.S. support for Israel.

Vice President JD Vance returned to Kansas to rally for Sen. Roger Marshall, who faces pastor Adam Hamilton in a close contest. Marshall noted that Democrats are campaigning with high energy, a dynamic that forces Republicans to match that intensity. In Montana, Vance also campaigned in Belgrade for Rep. Aaron Flint and Senate candidate Kurt Alme.

Senate Minority Leader Tim Scott said the party is closing strongly in key races. He cited Trump’s time on the campaign trail as a primary reason for the GOP's momentum. Trump addressed gas prices in Mississippi, saying he had expected them to rise even higher and that the situation will be over soon.