Trump heads to California and Nevada to sharpen midterm battle lines

Losangeles,UPDATED: Aug 5, 2026 06:00 IST

President Donald Trump is visiting California and Nevada this week in a rare western trip aimed at sharpening political differences with Democrats on the economy, border security and crime ahead of the November elections that will decide whether Republicans keep control of Congress. The visit includes a Republican Committee fundraising dinner in California and an economy-focused event in Nevada.

The trip comes as Trump faces weak public ratings on the economy, an issue on which he has struggled to connect with voters despite often pointing to stock market gains and low national unemployment. In an AP-NORC poll conducted in late July, 32 per cent of US adults approved of his handling of the economy, 69 per cent described the economy as "poor", and many said the cost of essentials such as groceries and petrol was a "major" source of stress. His overall approval rating stood at 33 per cent, slightly below where it was at this stage of his first term.

Trump arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday for a fundraising dinner at a golf club his family owns in Rancho Palos Verdes. Just before his arrival, authorities said a California man carrying ammunition, with a gun in his car, had been arrested at the golf course on Sunday after appearing to monitor security preparations.

On Wednesday, Trump is due to speak about the economy at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas. During the trip, he is expected to target California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat seen as a likely contender for his party's presidential nomination in 2028 and one of Trump's most prominent rivals. White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said the president would "draw a sharp contrast between his commonsense agenda and the radical policies of Democrats like Gavin Newsom", while highlighting his own push to cut taxes, reduce fraud in government programmes, and crack down on immigration and crime.

California was among Trump's first domestic stops after he returned to office in January 2025, when he visited Los Angeles County after wildfires destroyed entire neighbourhoods, left thousands homeless and killed more than two dozen people. Newsom received him at the airport during that trip, and the two spoke cordially and signalled cooperation despite their long-running differences. That did not last. Six months later, Newsom said in a speech that "democracy is under assault" by Trump after the president sent Guard troops and US Marines into Los Angeles without the governor's consent, following protests after a series of federal immigration raids.

Trump regularly mocks Newsom and uses a derogatory nickname for him, while the governor frequently taunts the president on social media. On Tuesday, Newsom's office said Trump was coming to California not to help wildfire survivors but to raise money and attack the state with lies. Newsom said, "More than anything, we'd like the President to keep the promise he made on January 24, 2025: to 'take care of Los Angeles'. 18 months later, survivors are still waiting. And while you're here, Mr. President, welcome to the world's fourth-largest economy -- growing faster than Texas and Florida combined. Enjoy your stay." California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks said, "Trump treats California like his personal political punching bag -- right up until he needs someone to write a check. He may hit up a few billionaire donors who bankroll his political operation, but the people of California have already made it clear: they want nothing to do with his chaos and corruption."

In Nevada, Trump will visit a state led by Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, who faces Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford in one of the country's most closely watched governor's races in November. The Nevada State Democratic Party is putting up billboards linked to Trump's visit that tie him to Lombardo and rising costs. Nevada is dealing with a shortage of affordable housing, rapidly rising energy demand from artificial intelligence data centres, and federal cuts to key state programmes.

For months, Trump has tried to persuade voters with his income tax cuts and claims of a manufacturing revival. But interest rates remain high, petrol prices have risen because of the Iran war, tariffs continue to reshape the economy, and even White House estimates point to a national housing shortage. Trump has described his own housing bill as a "yawn", and some speeches promoted by the White House as being about the economy, including one at a General Motors facility in Michigan last week, shifted into extended remarks about his political opponents and construction projects in Washington.

Overall, Trump's two-state trip is meant to reinforce his campaign themes before the November elections, but it also unfolds against poor economic ratings, sharp political attacks from Democrats, and continuing concerns among voters over prices, housing and everyday costs.

With PTI Inputs

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