Trump Invokes French Unrest to Rally Kansas Voters Behind Senator Roger Marshall

PARK CITY, Kansas – United States President Donald Trump on Monday held up the violent unrest in France as a warning to American voters, telling supporters in Kansas that the United States could face similar turmoil if Democrats prevail in next month’s midterm elections. He presented no evidence for the claim.

President Trump was speaking at a campaign rally near Wichita in support of Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who is defending a seat that Republicans have held for decades but which is now viewed as competitive. “I love you Kansas, but I’m here for a guy named Roger Marshall,” the President told the crowd.

In what was described as a new addition to his stump speech, President Trump pointed to the burning churches and fires seen during recent protests in France and said the scenes reflected what Democrats wanted for America, vowing that his administration would not allow such events to take place in the United States. He again referred to his opponents with the mocking label “Dumocrats.” France has been experiencing some of its worst unrest in years, as large demonstrations over the cost of living and underfunded public services have turned into riots and looting.

The Kansas visit was the President’s latest stop in traditionally conservative states where Republican candidates have been placed on the defensive by voter frustration over the war with Iran and rising prices. President Trump, who has himself struggled to bring down the cost of goods and services, turned to anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim themes of the kind that featured in his three presidential campaigns. Rights advocates have long criticised such rhetoric, arguing that it normalises discriminatory attitudes toward immigrants and minority communities.

Senator Marshall centred his own remarks on cultural issues, including stopping what he called radical Islam, and described his Democratic challenger, United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton, as too liberal for Kansas over his support for gay pride parades. President Trump also attacked Mr. Hamilton, accusing him of wanting Americans to atone for their race.

Mr. Hamilton, who emerged from a field of 11 Democratic candidates in the August primary and has outraised his opponent, has presented himself as a centrist. He has said he would cooperate with President Trump where appropriate but would stand up for Kansans when Washington’s policies harm farmers and rural hospitals, and has criticised Senator Marshall’s support for the administration’s tariffs and the Iran war.

Kansas, a Midwestern state that President Trump carried by 16 points in 2024, has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate in 94 years. Yet its voters have shown a willingness to cross party lines, having twice elected Democratic Governor Laura Kelly. Some voters at the rally acknowledged the race would be closely fought, while others voiced concern over continuing increases in the price of food and other essentials. A small group of protesters gathered near the venue.

The rally formed part of an intensive campaign tour by President Trump ahead of the November midterm elections, while Vice President JD Vance campaigned in North Carolina on the same day.