Trump's Midterm Messaging Strategy, Botched Execution Fallout, Daylight Saving Fight: AM Update 10/5

October 5, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Trump's Midterm Messaging Strategy, Botched Execution Fallout, Daylight Saving Fight

President Trump kicked off a campaign blitz over the weekend with a rally in Ohio, telling supporters to "just get out and vote" and predicting Republicans would "win big" in next month's midterm elections. But the president's approval rating sits at just 38%, and a Quinnipiac University poll found 51% of registered voters want Democrats to control the House if the election were held today, compared to 39% who want Republicans in charge. The same poll showed 65% of respondents disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy and 62% disapprove of his foreign policy.

Trump's Campaign Strategy and Ohio Concerns

At the Ohio rally Saturday, Trump kept his message simple, urging turnout for Republican candidates including Senator John Husted and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The president touted his accomplishments and warned of what Democrats would do if they regained control of Congress, saying they "voted against securing our border" and "voted in favor of the transgender mutilation of your children." He also made a big promise from the Oval Office in a video posted to X: if Republicans win both chambers, he will give all adult citizens $5,000, claiming the money would come from tariff revenue and "record-setting economic success."

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What you'll learn

1 (00:37) **AM Update Opens** - Megyn Kelly welcomes listeners to the Monday, October 5th, 2026 edition, previewing Trump's campaign blitz, Tennessee's botched execution fallout, and the daylight saving time fight.
2 (02:42) **Trump's Midterm Rally Blitz** - President Trump urges supporters to vote in the midterms, now 29 days away, predicting a landslide and using colorful language to describe beating Democrats.
3 (04:12) **Trump's Attack Lines on Democrats** - The president frames the election as a choice between his record and Democratic policies on the border, transgender issues, inflation, and energy.
4 (05:10) **White House Plans and Ohio Race Worries** - Trump plans to visit at least 17 states before election day, but Republicans face uphill battles in key races like Ohio's Senate and gubernatorial contests.
5 (06:57) **Trump's $5,000 Promise and Approval Slump** - In a video from the Oval Office, Trump promises $5,000 to all adult citizens if Republicans win Congress, even as his approval rating slides to 38%.
6 (08:17) **Tennessee Prison Chief Resigns After Botched Execution** - Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada steps down following the failed execution of Krista Pike, who survived two doses of lethal drugs.
7 (09:39) **Attorney Details Pike's Condition** - Krista Pike's attorney, Stephen Farrell, tells CNN she is still critically ill on a ventilator, with doctors unable to explain how she survived the two execution attempts.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Vivek Ramaswamy Sherrod Brown Amy Acton Bill Lee

Show Notes

President Trump hits the campaign trail as Republicans have less than a month to reverse the trends ahead of the midterms Election Day. Tennessee's prison chief resigns after the state sees a second botched execution. A medical plane has gone missing off the coast of Nantucket. President Trump feuds with GOP Senator Tom Cotton over Daylight Saving Time, while apparently revealing the senator's phone number on TruthSocial.

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