Trump returns to Salina for Sunday rally after brief cancellation

President Donald Trump will address supporters in Salina, Kansas, on Sunday, following the rescheduling of a campaign stop that was briefly cancelled. The Republican National Committee confirmed the new date on Thursday, placing the event at Salina Regional Airport.

The rally serves as a final push for incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall. He faces a close contest against Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton, with recent polling showing Hamilton leading by a few points. The event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., with the president expected to speak at 7 p.m.

Doors for the gathering at Hangar 509 will open at 3:30 p.m. The RNC stated that attendees who reserved tickets for the original Saturday event must sign up again to secure admission for Sunday. The change follows an announcement that the president would conduct tele-rallies to reach a wider audience.

According to a person familiar with the latest plans, the Iowa and Kansas in-person rallies were rearranged to fit around the new tele-rallies added to the schedule. The initial cancellation was announced Thursday, prompting a mix of reactions from local residents who had anticipated the visit.

Tomas Perez, a Salina resident, described the experience as a roller coaster. "I think it’s good for Salina, I really do," Perez said. "You kind of go on the roller coaster for sure. Yeah, you’re all excited thinking, ‘man, we’re gonna get on the map,’ then it cancelled out, then decided to come back. So we’ll see how it plays out."

Anita Popelka, another resident, noted the appeal of having a sitting president visit the city. "I think it’s pretty cool that we got a standing president coming to Salina, Kansas," she said. Brian Berneking acknowledged that some locals might feel lingering frustration over the initial cancellation, but he expects most supporters to be thrilled by the return.

Perez is currently checking his schedule to see if he can attend the event. He anticipates a mix of supporters and protesters, noting that Salina tends to go both ways in such political moments.