US midterms 2026: Trump invokes France unrest at Kansas rally, warns America will 'burn' if Democrats win

US President Donald Trump has invoked unrest in France to attack Democrats while campaigning for Republican Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas, where a closely contested race has emerged as Republicans face pressure ahead of the November midterm elections.Trump's Monday rally for Marshall focused on immigration, cultural issues and warnings about what he said could happen in the United States if Republicans lose ground.“I love you Kansas, but I'm here for a guy named Roger Marshall,” Trump told the crowd.During the rally, Trump referred to protests and violence in France, where demonstrations over living costs and underfunded public services have escalated into riots and looting in recent days. He used the unrest to frame the election as a choice between Republican leadership and what he portrayed as a threat posed by Democrats.“When you see burning steeples and raging fires in France, just remember that is what the radical Dumocrats want to do to America,” Trump said.Trump has repeatedly used the term “Dumocrats” to mock the opposition.The rally comes as Trump campaigns across Republican-leaning areas to help candidates defend their seats ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Republicans are seeking to retain control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives amid voter concerns over the Iran war and rising prices.Kansas has long been a Republican stronghold. Trump won the state by 16% points in the 2024 presidential election, and a Democrat has not won a US Senate race there in 94 years. However, Marshall, who is seeking another term, is facing a close challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton, a Methodist megachurch pastor.Hamilton has campaigned against Trump's tariff agenda and criticised what he describes as the president's “erratic leadership.”Trump attacked Hamilton during the rally, saying, “He wants you to repent for being born White.”Marshall, meanwhile, emphasised cultural issues, including opposition to what he called “radical Islam”. He described Hamilton as “too woke” for Kansas because he supported gay pride parades, drawing boos from the crowd.“We need someone who can sort heifers and steers,” Marshall said.Hamilton's campaign dismissed the rally's message, arguing that it did not address the economic concerns facing residents.“Nothing said at the rally can distract from the fact Kansans are being crushed by rising gas and diesel prices, struggling to access affordable healthcare, and are tired of Washington corruption,” campaign spokesperson Tyson Brody said.In a video released on Monday, Hamilton welcomed Trump to Kansas and said Trump supporters had a place in his campaign. He said he would work with the president where their interests aligned, while opposing federal policies that harmed farmers and rural hospitals.The contest in Kansas reflects wider challenges facing Republicans as they seek to hold their congressional majorities in November. Trump has been campaigning across areas that he won comfortably in previous elections as part of a 32-day campaign blitz.​You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.