HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — At a Trump Kentucky rally on Saturday, the president highlighted what he described as expanded authority in his second term while urging Republicans to turn out for the midterms, telling supporters, “I can do stuff that is unbelievable.”
Speaking in Highland Heights to boost GOP candidates, including U.S. House hopeful Ed Gallrein, he riffed on his move to change the federal government’s terminology for the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
“I don’t think I could have done this in my first term. This is a much more powerful term,” he said, adding that major tech firms now take his calls. He also claimed he had changed the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America.”
Trump Kentucky rally amid voter frustration
Trump’s assertions of power come as voters express frustration with how he has used it, with tariffs and the Iran war cited for rising prices and more Americans seeing him as prioritizing personal interests over the country, according to recent assessments. With control of Congress at stake, he has urged supporters to “pretend that I’m on the ballot,” even as Republicans privately worry that disapproval of his administration could hurt them.
He has nominated one of his personal lawyers as attorney general, ordered military strikes on boats accused of drug smuggling, sought to put his name on the Kennedy Center, and faced scrutiny over actions that have benefited his businesses and family while in office.
Gas prices, Iran war and warnings about Democrats
Onstage, Trump touched on gas prices and said the conflict with Iran would end soon, a prediction he has made repeatedly over nearly eight months, and asserted prices would fall further, drawing cheers from the crowd.
He painted a dire picture if Democrats prevail, warning of a coming depression and alleging they aim to abolish the U.S. Senate and Supreme Court. Those positions are not part of the Democratic Party’s platform, but he linked Democrats to the Democratic Socialists of America, which saw a handful of primary wins this year.
Promises of checks and a Kentucky investment
Trump repeated his contested pledge that if Republicans control both chambers, every adult American would receive $5,000. Analysts note such a move would likely exceed $1 trillion, need congressional approval, and add to the nearly $1.8 trillion annual budget deficit.
He also floated a new, conditional promise for Kentucky, saying that if Republicans win, the Department of Defense would invest in revitalizing a drug manufacturing facility in the state.
Backing Ed Gallrein over Thomas Massie
The president brought Gallrein onstage, praising him after supporting his successful primary challenge against Rep. Thomas Massie. Massie had angered Trump by pushing for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and opposing the Iran war, prompting the president to back Gallrein.
Massie still maintains a following for his staunchly conservative positions, even when they put him at odds with his party. When Trump labeled Massie a “jerk” and “loser” while touting Gallrein as a more loyal alternative, the crowd reaction was mixed, with roughly half applauding and the rest remaining quiet.
Trump’s comments on Iran echoed earlier remarks at a Montana event, where he questioned, “Who are we negotiating with?”
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