President Donald Trump is undertaking a rare visit to California and Nevada this week to raise campaign funds for Republicans and draw distinctions between his administration’s approach and Democratic policies on economic, border, and crime issues. The trip comes as the Republican Party seeks to maintain control of Congress in upcoming elections.
Trump’s visit to the region occurs amid challenging polling on his economic record. According to an AP-NORC poll conducted in late July, only 32% of U.S. adults approved of his handling of the economy, while 69% of Americans characterized the nation’s economic state as poor. Many respondents cited the cost of everyday essentials such as groceries and gasoline as major sources of financial stress. His overall approval rating stands at 33%, slightly below where it was at a comparable point during his first term.
The president is scheduled to speak at a Republican National Committee fundraising dinner in Rancho Palos Verdes on Tuesday and discuss economic matters at an event in Las Vegas on Wednesday. White House spokesperson Olivia Wales stated Trump plans to contrast what she described as his “commonsense agenda” with what she termed “radical policies of Democrats,” pointing to his efforts on tax cuts, government fraud reduction, and enforcement priorities. The Nevada visit coincides with a competitive gubernatorial race between Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo and Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford.
Trump’s California visit is likely to generate confrontation with Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who critics say is positioning himself as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. The relationship between the two has deteriorated since Trump’s January 2025 visit to survey wildfire damage. Gov. Newsom’s office released a statement Tuesday asserting that Trump’s primary purpose was fundraising rather than assisting wildfire survivors, and noting that survivors continue to await promised assistance. California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks characterized the visit as a political attack on the state. Security concerns also marked the visit’s beginning, as authorities arrested a California man found carrying ammunition at the golf club venue on Sunday.
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