Trump to Rally in Salina on Sunday

President Donald Trump will address supporters in Salina, Kansas, on Sunday evening. The Republican National Committee confirmed the event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Salina Regional Airport. The president is expected to take the stage at 7 p.m. inside Hangar 509. Doors to the venue will open at 3:30 p.m.

The rally serves as a final push for incumbent Senator Roger Marshall in a tight U.S. Senate race against Democrat Adam Hamilton. Some recent polls indicate Hamilton is leading by a few points. The RNC confirmed that Trump will also hold a back-to-back campaign rally in Iowa during the same trip.

Plans for the Kansas stop changed abruptly earlier this week. The event was originally set for Saturday in Salina. On Thursday, organizers announced the cancellation to shift focus to tele-rallies designed to reach a wider audience. A person familiar with the latest scheduling said the in-person events in Iowa and Kansas were rearranged to fit these new virtual appearances on the president's calendar. As a result, those who reserved tickets for the Saturday date must sign up again to secure seats for Sunday.

Local residents expressed mixed reactions to the schedule volatility. Tomas Perez, a Salina resident, described the experience as a roller coaster. He noted the community was initially excited to be on the map, then disappointed by the cancellation, and now hopeful again. Perez is currently checking his schedule to determine if he can attend the Sunday event.

Anita Popelka, another local, said it is cool to have a standing president visit Salina, Kansas. Brian Berneking acknowledged that there might be lingering frustration or animosity regarding the initial cancellation. However, he predicted that most people would be thrilled that the visit is happening at all.

Perez expects a mix of supporters and protesters at the airport. He observed that Salina often goes both ways in political events. The RNC has made ticket reservations available through its website for the rescheduled event.