Trump appears frustrated as Republicans shy away from campaigning with him

President Donald Trump has repeatedly defended his campaign rallies as some Republican candidates in competitive races appear reluctant to campaign alongside him ahead of the midterm elections.

According to CNN, few candidates in closely contested races attended Trump’s midterm convention last month, while some have avoided planned appearances with him.

Trump, however, maintained Tuesday that his rallies were strengthening the Republican Party.

“By the way, I’m going around doing rallies. The Republican Party is starting to go right through the roof,” Trump said.

He later posted: “MY RALLIES ARE SAVING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AGAIN!!!”

Trump has also said “the rallies have changed things around” and indicated plans to campaign in Michigan and possibly Maine.

However, Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins has repeatedly said she does not expect Trump to campaign there.

CNN’s analysis noted that Trump has so far visited only a handful of competitive battleground areas.