Donald Trump used an Ohio rally to deliver a profane attack on Democrats and promise a Republican victory as he campaigned for Senator Jon Husted and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy ahead of the midterm elections.
Addressing supporters at Butler High School in Vandalia, near Dayton, the President urged them to vote and predicted a decisive result for his party.
“You gotta get out and vote and if you do, we’re gonna’ win big and we’re gonna shove it up their a**,” Mr Trump said to loud applause.
He also called Democrats “dumb sons of b****es” and repeated his nickname for the opposition, “Dumbocrats”.
The rally formed part of what Mr Trump has described as a 32-day campaign blitz before the November 3 elections. He is due to visit Republican strongholds including Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama before focusing on Ohio, a key battleground in the Senate contest.
Trump backs Husted and Ramaswamy in Ohio
Mr Husted was appointed to the Senate vacancy left by JD Vance, who is now Vice-President, and is seeking to retain the seat outright.
Democrats are hoping to win back control of the Senate and have identified Ohio, alongside states including North Carolina and Maine, as a crucial race. Former three-term senator Sherrod Brown is seeking a return after losing to Republican Bernie Moreno two years ago.
Mr Trump’s appearance came as Republicans expressed concern that Mr Husted’s campaign had not gained enough momentum in the Republican-dominated state. Mr Brown and allied groups have attacked Mr Husted over his role involving data centres, which the Republican campaign arm has identified as a potential vulnerability.
In the governor’s race, Mr Ramaswamy is facing Democrat Dr Amy Acton, Ohio’s former Covid-era health director. The wealthy biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate was quickly backed by Ohio Republicans, but is now involved in a close contest despite a substantial fundraising advantage and more than $12 million spent on advertising.
Mr Ramaswamy told the crowd he was grateful to Ohio and the United States for giving him opportunities that would not have been available to his Indian immigrant family elsewhere.
Super Bowl-winning NFL coach Jon Gruden also addressed the rally before Mr Trump took the stage, highlighting his Ohio roots.
“I came back for one reason,” Mr Gruden said. “I’m from Ohio. My mom and dad are from Cleveland. I was born in Sandusky and I went to the University of Dayton and I’m damn proud of it, man!”
Mr Trump later praised Mr Gruden as one of his favourite coaches, describing him as “a great winner” and “a winner”. He also referred to having played golf with him in 2025.
Trump attacks CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins
During the speech, Mr Trump renewed his criticism of CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, a frequent target in exchanges at the White House.
“She’s such an unhappy person,” he said. “Young, nice person but she never smiles. She’s a very unhappy person.”
Mr Trump also sought to reassure voters about the economy, insisting: “Your state is booming. Every – I hate to say it – every state is booming. They’re all booming.”
His comments came as the cost of living, including gas prices elevated by the war on Iran, was described as a major issue in the Dayton area. Nearly 1,400 people had also been laid off from a nearby truck factory in Springfield days before the rally.
