‘Pretend I’m on ballot’: Trump urges voters

US President Donald Trump urged Virginia voters to treat Novemberrsquos congressional elections as if he were on the ballot warning that Democratic victories would threaten his administrationrsquos agenda as he endorsed three Republican lawmakers seeking reelectionSpeaking at a virtual telerally Trump backed Representatives Rob Wittman Jen Kiggans and John McGuire He repeatedly asked supporters to turn out on November 3 making his own political record central to his appeal ldquoAnd you have to do one favor for me pretend that Im on the ballotrdquo Trump saidldquoBecause when Ive been on the ballot which has been three times weve gotten tremendous turnout And when Im not we dont get the same turnoutrdquo The president framed the contests as a test of whether Republicans could preserve their tax and spending priorities He credited the three lawmakers with supporting legislation he called the ldquoGreat Big Beautiful BillrdquoTrump highlighted what he described as tax relief on tips overtime and Social Security He asserted that Democrats would terminate those benefits and pursue tax increases The transcript provided no Democratic response to those claims ldquoSo uh we worked and we got all of these things for you and were gonna keep them for yourdquo he saidTrump devoted separate portions of the call to each lawmaker linking their congressional records to military spending border enforcement lower taxes and support for veterans He praised Wittman who represents Virginiarsquos 1st Congressional District for his work as vicechairman of the House Armed Services Committee Trump said Wittman had helped secure military investment and supported the administrationrsquos tax legislationHe also credited Wittman with voting for the Save America Act and said his administration would continue pushing for its passage Turning to Virginiarsquos 2nd Congressional District Trump described Kiggans as a former Navy helicopter pilot and praised her economic recordHe said she had voted to ban insider trading by members of Congress adding that he would support such a prohibition He urged voters to return her to Congress Trump then praised McGuire a former Navy SEAL representing Virginiarsquos 5th Congressional District He described him as a reliable supporter of border restrictions lower taxes fewer regulations military strength and veterans ldquoAnd I must tell you that all three have exactly those same qualitiesrdquo Trump saidThe president also attacked the lawmakersrsquo Democratic opponents naming Shannon Taylor Elaine Luria and Tom Perriello His remarks included allegations about their positions on policing congressional trading and immigration The supplied material contained no responses from the three DemocratsTrump returned repeatedly to turnout telling listeners that the three Republicans had his endorsement and promising further campaign support ldquoThey will never ever let you downrdquo Trump said He urged supporters to vote on election day or take advantage of early voting concluding that November 3 would be ldquoa very big day for AmericardquoThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever