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Trump Visits California and Nevada Ahead of Crucial Midterm Elections/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ President Donald Trump is making a rare trip to California and Nevada to promote his economic agenda and help Republicans ahead of the November elections. The visit comes as an AP-NORC poll shows only 32% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 69% describe economic conditions as poor. Trump is expected to target California Gov. Gavin Newsom before discussing the economy in Nevada, where housing and energy costs remain major concerns.

Quick Look

• Trump will visit California on Tuesday and Nevada on Wednesday.
• He will attend Republican National Committee fundraising events near Los Angeles.
• Trump will discuss the economy at Red Rock casino in Las Vegas.
• The RNC events are closed to the press.
• Only 32% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s management of the economy.
• Trump’s overall approval rating stands at 33%.
• About 69% of Americans describe the economy as poor.
• Trump is expected to criticize California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
• Nevada is facing high housing costs and rising energy demand.
• Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo faces Democrat Aaron Ford in November.
• High interest rates, tariffs and higher gasoline prices remain challenges for Trump.
• Republicans are fighting to retain control of Congress in the midterm elections.

Deep Look

Trump Makes Rare Trip to California and Nevada

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is traveling to California and Nevada this week as he seeks to draw contrasts with Democrats on the economy, border security and crime.

The rare Western trip comes as Trump attempts to strengthen Republican support ahead of November’s elections, which will determine whether his party maintains control of Congress.

The president has struggled to persuade voters that the economy is strong, despite frequently emphasizing stock market gains and a low national unemployment rate.

Persistent inflation and widespread economic uncertainty have overshadowed those positive indicators for many Americans.

Trump to Attend RNC Fundraisers in California

Trump will travel to the Los Angeles area Tuesday to attend Republican National Committee fundraising events.

He is scheduled to participate in an RNC roundtable at 6:30 p.m. Pacific time and a reception at 7 p.m. Both events will be closed to reporters.

The fundraising dinner will take place at a golf club owned by Trump’s family in Rancho Palos Verdes, a suburb of Los Angeles.

On Wednesday, the president will travel to Nevada for an event focused on the economy at Red Rock casino in Las Vegas.

Poll Shows Weak Approval on the Economy

An AP-NORC poll conducted in late July found that only 32% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s handling of the economy.

In the same survey, 69% of Americans described the condition of the economy as “poor.”

Many respondents also said the cost of daily necessities, including groceries and gasoline, was a “major” source of stress.

Trump’s overall approval rating was 33%, slightly lower than his standing at the same point during his first presidential term.

Trump Expected to Target Gavin Newsom

During his California visit, Trump is expected to criticize Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Newsom has become one of Trump’s most prominent political opponents and is widely viewed as a potential contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.

White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said Trump intends to “draw a sharp contrast between his commonsense agenda and the radical policies of Democrats like Gavin Newsom,” touting his own efforts to cut taxes, reduce fraud in government programs, and crack down on immigration and crime.

Trump and Newsom’s Brief Cooperation Fades

California was among Trump’s first domestic destinations after he returned to the White House in January 2025.

During that visit, the president surveyed damage from wildfires that had destroyed entire Los Angeles County neighborhoods, killed more than two dozen people and left thousands without homes.

Newsom welcomed Trump at the airport, and the two appeared cordial while discussing potential cooperation despite their long history of political conflict.

That period of cooperation did not last.

The deployment followed protests sparked by a series of federal immigration raids.

Newsom Attacks Trump Over Minimum Wage

Trump regularly mocks Newsom and calls him by a derogatory nickname.

Newsom frequently responds through social media posts criticizing the president and Republican policies.

On Monday, Newsom highlighted California’s plan to increase its minimum wage to $17.40 per hour next year.

That rate would be more than double the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Nevada Housing Costs Shape Trump’s Visit

Housing affordability will be a major issue when Trump arrives in Nevada on Wednesday.

The state is led by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, who is seeking reelection against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford.

Their contest is considered one of the country’s most competitive gubernatorial races in the November elections.

Nevada is confronting a shortage of affordable homes, rapidly rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers and federal funding reductions affecting important state programs.

Nevada Democrats Link Trump to Higher Costs

The Nevada State Democratic Party is installing billboards ahead of Trump’s visit.

The signs connect Trump and Lombardo to rising consumer costs in the state.

Democrats are expected to use the visit to highlight housing prices, energy demand and the financial pressure confronting Nevada families.

Trump, meanwhile, will try to persuade voters that Republican policies offer a stronger economic path.

Inflation and Interest Rates Complicate Trump’s Message

For several months, Trump has promoted his income tax reductions and claimed that the United States is experiencing a manufacturing revival.

However, high interest rates continue to raise borrowing costs for consumers and businesses.

Gasoline prices have increased because of the war with Iran, while tariffs continue to reshape trade and prices throughout the economy.

The White House has also acknowledged that the country faces a major housing shortage.

Previous Economic Speeches Shifted to Other Topics

Trump has struggled at times to maintain a consistent public focus on the economy.

The president described his own housing legislation as a “yawn.”

Other appearances promoted by the White House as economic speeches have shifted into extended remarks about Trump’s political opponents and construction projects in Washington.

During a speech at a General Motors facility in Michigan last week, Trump moved away from his prepared economic message and returned to a wide range of political grievances and other subjects.

The California and Nevada trip gives the president another opportunity to address economic concerns that polls show remain a significant weakness ahead of the midterm elections.

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