KALISPELL, Mont., Oct 14 – President Donald Trump defended his decision to accept a luxury aircraft from Qatar for use as Air Force One while urging voters to support Republican candidates in the November midterm elections, using campaign appearances in Arizona and Montana to promote his administration’s priorities and criticize Democrats.
During a rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, Trump described the aircraft as a gift from Qatar’s royal family and dismissed criticism of his decision to accept it. Later, in Kalispell, Montana, he focused on gun rights, warning supporters that the Second Amendment could face new restrictions if Democrats gain ground in the elections.
The two-day Western campaign swing, which also included a stop in Alaska, came as Republicans worked to protect their congressional majorities amid persistent concerns about living costs and unfavorable public approval ratings for the president. Trump used the appearances to energize his political base, promote Republican candidates and highlight projects connected to his presidency.
The visits also illustrated the competing themes shaping the Republican campaign, from cultural issues such as gun ownership to questions about the economy, presidential spending priorities and the party’s prospects in closely contested races.
Trump Defends Qatar Aircraft Amid Questions Over Presidential Priorities
Trump made the luxury aircraft a prominent feature of his appearance in Bullhead City, where the former Qatari jet provided a backdrop for his remarks at a desert airport. The president told supporters that he had learned Qatar possessed a particularly impressive Boeing 747 and had contacted the country’s emir about borrowing the aircraft. According to Trump’s account, the emir offered to give him the plane instead.
“When you’re given gifts, you take ’em, right?” Trump told the crowd. “When they give you a 747 you say two words: ‘thank you.’”
Air Force One with President Donald Trump aboard flys past before landing for a campaign rally at the Laughlin Bullhead International Airport, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, in Bullhead City, Ariz. (AP Photo/John Locher)
President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Laughlin Bullhead International Airport for a campaign rally, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, in Bullhead, Ariz. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The comments renewed attention on Trump’s decision to accept the aircraft, which he agreed to take the previous year despite criticism from some political allies and others who questioned the arrangement.
The aircraft is intended for use as Air Force One, the designation for any aircraft carrying the U.S. president. Trump has also highlighted changes to the plane’s appearance, including a red, white, blue and gold paint scheme associated with his preferred presidential branding.
His defense of the gift came at a time when many Americans continued to express concern about the cost of living. Rather than concentrating exclusively on household expenses, Trump devoted considerable attention during the Arizona appearance to the physical features and construction projects associated with his administration.
He discussed the White House ballroom under construction, a newly completed helipad on the South Lawn and a proposed triumphal arch in Washington. Trump argued that the news media was not adequately recognizing what he viewed as the country’s achievements.
“The fake news media doesn’t talk about how well we’re doing” as a country, he said, while complaining that journalists repeatedly questioned him about affordability.
The remarks offered a contrast with the economic circumstances of the area hosting the rally. Bullhead City is in Mohave County, where poverty and unemployment rates are higher than the corresponding state and national figures, while per-capita income is lower, according to census and state employment data.
Trump’s visit was intended in part to rally support for Republican Rep. Andy Biggs, who is challenging Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in Arizona’s gubernatorial race. Biggs has been a strong Trump ally and supported efforts to challenge the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
Trump criticized Hobbs over border security, accusing her of doing the bidding of drug cartels. Hobbs has rejected such criticism and points to the deployment of National Guard troops to the border and increased funding for local law enforcement as evidence of her efforts to address security concerns.
The event did not include Republican candidates Jay Feely and Rep. Juan Ciscomani, who are competing in two closely watched U.S. House districts in Arizona.
Gun Rights Take Center Stage at Montana Rally
In Kalispell, Trump shifted his attention to the Second Amendment, making gun ownership a central issue as he campaigned for Republican congressional candidates.
The rally took place in Montana’s 1st Congressional District, where Republican Aaron Flint is running against Democratic candidate Sam Forstag. Flint previously worked as an aide to Rep. Ryan Zinke, the retiring Republican congressman who served as interior secretary during Trump’s first administration.
Forstag, a labor union leader and Forest Service smokejumper, has presented himself as a supporter of gun rights. He has also advocated expanding voluntary firearm safe-storage measures for people experiencing mental health crises, while emphasizing the role guns play in hunting and personal safety in Montana.
Trump nevertheless portrayed Forstag as an extreme candidate and warned that Democratic victories could threaten firearm ownership.
“The Second Amendment would be under siege” if Democrats won in November, Trump told supporters, arguing that Republicans needed to maintain their electoral strength to protect gun rights.
He also highlighted the National Rifle Association’s assessments of candidates in the state. Trump said Republican Senate candidate Kurt Alme and Flint had received the organization’s highest ratings, while Democratic Senate candidate Alani Bankhead had received an F.
According to Trump, the NRA had assigned Forstag a question mark because he had declined to complete its questionnaire.
Trump did not discuss independent Senate candidate Seth Bodnar, who has received backing from prominent Democrats as part of efforts to influence competitive Senate contests.
The gun-rights message was tailored to a state where firearms are closely associated with hunting, outdoor recreation and personal protection. By emphasizing the possibility of tighter restrictions under Democratic leadership, Trump sought to make the election a choice between the two parties’ approaches to constitutional rights.
The Montana appearance also served a direct campaign purpose. Republicans are attempting to retain control of Congress, and support from Trump remains important to candidates seeking to mobilize his political base.
Montana has consistently supported Trump in presidential elections, although its 1st Congressional District is somewhat less Republican-leaning than the state overall. That distinction makes the contest relevant to the broader struggle for control of the House of Representatives.
Trump also announced the establishment of a new military testing range sought by Republican officials in Montana. He presented the project as a contribution to national defense, telling supporters that the state would help maintain American military superiority.
“Montana will help ensure the American military always reigns supreme,” he said.
The announcement allowed Trump to combine campaign messaging with a promise of military investment, another issue that Republicans hope will appeal to voters in the state.
Republicans Face a Defensive Campaign as Election Day Approaches
Trump’s Western appearances formed part of a wider effort to strengthen Republican candidates less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The outcome will determine control of Congress and shape the administration’s ability to advance its legislative agenda during the remainder of the presidential term.
The political environment has become increasingly challenging for Republicans as Democrats attempt to capitalize on concerns about the economy and Trump’s approval ratings.
Campaign spending patterns have also begun to reflect the changing outlook. Republicans have pulled back resources from some competitive House races, while Democrats have sought additional funding for candidates who appeared to have limited chances earlier in the election cycle. Republican strategists have also lowered expectations in several Senate contests.
The developments suggest that the party is increasingly focused on defending vulnerable seats rather than expanding its congressional majorities.
Trump, however, has continued holding rallies lasting more than an hour as he seeks to prevent the losses that often affect the party occupying the White House during midterm elections. White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has described the campaign effort as a “midterm blitz.”
His recent appearances have largely taken place in traditionally Republican states, including Alabama, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas. Arizona stands out as a more competitive political environment among his recent stops, even though the Bullhead City rally took place in a county Trump won decisively in the 2024 presidential election.
Trump carried Arizona in 2016 and 2024 but lost the state in 2020. The state has remained politically competitive despite Republicans holding an advantage in voter registration. Democratic candidates have repeatedly won important statewide races, including Hobbs’ narrow victory over Republican Kari Lake in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
Biggs, meanwhile, has represented a reliably Republican congressional district since 2016. His challenge to Hobbs brings a prominent Trump ally into a statewide contest in which border security, public safety and the economy are likely to remain important issues.
Trump’s earlier stop in Alaska included an announcement that Taiwan would purchase natural gas from a proposed major gas development in the state. He also pardoned two Alaskans who had pleaded guilty in 2022 to violations of the Clean Air Act.
Together, the stops allowed the president to highlight military investment, energy development and his support for Republican candidates while maintaining his focus on issues that energize conservative voters.
Yet his comments in Arizona also underscored the tension between the administration’s preferred message and the economic concerns facing many households. While Trump promoted the luxury aircraft and discussed construction projects in Washington, affordability remained a recurring subject of questions from journalists.
The election will test whether his high-profile campaign appearances can translate into sufficient support for Republican candidates, particularly in districts where voters are weighing national political issues against their own economic circumstances.
With Election Day approaching, Trump is attempting to keep Republican voters engaged by emphasizing gun rights, national security and his administration’s accomplishments. Whether those themes can overcome economic dissatisfaction and Democratic momentum will help determine the balance of power in Washington.