Trump revels in Democrat flip as Haley Stevens accused of ‘despicable betrayal’: Live updates

WorldPolitics
2 Nov 2026 • 6:31 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Trump revels in Democrat flip as Haley Stevens accused of ‘despicable betrayal’: Live updates

President Donald Trump hailed Michigan Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens Sunday after she broke with her party to withdraw her endorsement for Abdul El-Sayed to back Republican nominee Mike Rogers.

“Wow, this is BIG!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Congresswoman Haley Stevens, a Highly Respected Democrat, who narrowly lost in the Primary to Abdul Mohamed El-Sayed, and who has been breathlessly wined and dined by the Dumocrats to help in their Michigan Campaign for the United States Senate against Mike Rogers, has just ENDORSED Mike Rogers for Senate!”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was furious, however, accusing Stevens of a “despicable betrayal.”

Trump made appearances rallying for GOP candidates in Kansas and Iowa Sunday, following a day of virtual rallies Saturday. Both events were canceled late last week, only for the president to reinstate them when a reporter asked if he was dropping out because of his health.

Trump stuck to many of his favorite laugh lines in the Midwest as he stumped for Kansas GOP Sen. Roger Marshall and then Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson.

Over 50 million Americans have already voted in this year’s midterms, outpacing 2022’s early turnout rate.

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Key Points

  • 'Wow!' Donald Trump reacts to defeated Michigan Democrat endorsing GOP candidate
  • Democrats rocked by ‘despicable betrayal’ on eve of midterms vote
  • Canada, Greenland and the 'Strait of Trump': President plays the hits in Kansas
  • Trump claims he could have stopped Vietnam War in a week
  • President says Republican candidate used to be 'a little bit heavier'

‘Mr Veto’: Trump maps a path to govern without Congress if Republicans lose control

12:30 , Joe Sommerlad

The president appears to be already resigned to the prospect of Democrats seizing control on Capitol Hill this week and looking ahead to blocking their legislation whenever he can.

Here’s more.

Image from: Trump revels in Democrat flip as Haley Stevens accused of ‘despicable betrayal’: Live updates

‘Mr Veto’: Trump maps a path to govern without Congress if Democrats win

Trump melts down at another reporter at Mar-a-Lago Halloween party

12:00 , Joe Sommerlad

In case you missed it over the weekend, he’s the president once more lashing out at a journalist, this time for asking about the Iran war.

Brendan Rascius reports.

Image from: Trump revels in Democrat flip as Haley Stevens accused of ‘despicable betrayal’: Live updates

Trump celebrates Halloween by melting down on another reporter at Mar-a-Lago party

Watch: Haley Stevens posts endorsement video for Mike Rogers

11:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Here’s the Democrat’s original post explaining her controversial decision…

…and here’s some more Democratic reaction to her “sad, desperate attempt to be relevant” after losing her primary this summer.

— Acyn (@Acyn) November 1, 2026

Stevens gives ‘trainwreck’ interview to Anderson Cooper

11:00 , Joe Sommerlad

The turncoat Democrat attempted to explain herself on CNN last night.

It did not go well.

Top story: Democrats rocked by ‘despicable betrayal’ on eve of midterms vote

10:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Senior Democrats rounded on Rep. Haley Stevens Sunday after the defeated Michigan primary candidate broke with her party to endorse Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers on the eve of the midterms.

Stevens announced her endorsement in a video over the weekend, withdrawing her support for Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee and her former rival, after a falling-out over Israel.

“As you may have seen, our Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Abdul, said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away, and he's right,” Stevens said. “And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate today.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reacted with fury, writing on X: “This is a despicable betrayal from Rep. Stevens. Senate Democrats are united in our support for Abdul El-Sayed, because we know he will fight for the economic interests of working families in Michigan, unlike Mike Rogers, who is a tool of Donald Trump and billionaire donors.”

Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi was also angry, posting on the same platform: “Haley Stevens has chosen to dangerously betray Michigan families’ healthcare, freedoms and future with her horrific endorsement of Mike Rogers. Abdul El-Sayed must win – because Michigan and our country deserve better.”

It did not go well for Stevens on the streets of Detroit either.

Trump, of course, absolutely loved it.

Here’s more from Brendan Rascius.

Image from: Trump revels in Democrat flip as Haley Stevens accused of ‘despicable betrayal’: Live updates

Democrats rocked by ‘despicable betrayal’ on eve of midterms vote

Watch: Trump claims in Iowa he could have stopped Vietnam War in a week

10:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Before Kansas, Trump was in Dubuque, Iowa, where he was introduced by House speaker Mike Johnson, who insisted “the polls are wrong” and praised the president for never sleeping.

Trump himself said the candidate he was there to promote, Ashley Hinson, used to be overweight, that The New York Times should be prosecuted for publishing poll unfavorable to him, that Barack Obama should not be disparaging the Cheesecake Factory’s cheesecake and insisted inflation is under control, contrary to the evidence.

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 1, 2026

He also claimed he could have won the Vietnam War in a week (he promised to stop the Ukraine war in 24 hours back in 2024 – and secured five draft deferrals from Vietnam as a young man, citing bone spurs).

Watch: Trump talks Canada, Greenland and trans kids in Kansas

09:33 , Joe Sommerlad

The president played many of his greatest his in the Midwest Sunday, musing on making Canada the 51st state and the possibility of renaming the Strait of Hormuz “the Trump Strait,” claiming ownership of Greenland, joking about forced sex changes in America’s public schools and, even more bizarrely, repeating his line about his own supporters not being able to afford a hamburger at Mar-a-Lago.

He also got down to the more serious business of attacking Republican Sen. Roger Marshall’s Democratic challenger, Adam Hamilton, for which he was gushingly praised by the grateful Marshall.

Trump official under fire for ‘insane’ SNAP fraudster Halloween costume

09:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has faced a backlash over a social media post depicting a welfare “fraudster” Halloween costume that critics called racist.

Rollins shared the image on X on Saturday afternoon. Styled as a Spirit Halloween costume kit, it bore the label “SNAP fraudster,” a reference to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The image featured a Black man wearing jewelry and standing in front of stacks of cash. The listed costume accessories included fake grills, an Electronic Benefits Transfer card and handcuffs.

“Some costumes come with a price tag,” Rollins wrote. “This one comes with a prison sentence. To anyone stealing from American taxpayers: The tricks are over. The treats are running out. Happy Halloween!”

Here’s more from Brendan Rascius.

Image from: Trump revels in Democrat flip as Haley Stevens accused of ‘despicable betrayal’: Live updates

Trump official under fire for ‘insane’ SNAP fraudster Halloween costume

SNL skewers ‘future press secretary’ Nicki Minaj as Trump character admits ‘I might be gay’

08:30 , Joe Sommerlad

Saturday Night Live took on Donald Trump’s newfound fascination with men’s body parts in a sketch this weekend that also took aim at his alliance with Nicki Minaj.

After Tom Hanks surprised the audience in SNL’s latest cold open by returning as beloved character David S Pumpkins, James Austin Johnson entered as Trump and went on to mock the president’s recent comments praising other men’s butts.

“A great ass on Hanks – something that I’ve enjoyed lately admiring,” Johnson said as Trump.

“Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Just that I might be gay.”

Carsen Holaday was watching.

Image from: Trump revels in Democrat flip as Haley Stevens accused of ‘despicable betrayal’: Live updates

SNL skewers ‘future press secretary’ Nicki Minaj as Trump admits ‘I might be gay’

Trump falsely claims he has 99 percent approval rating

03:27 , Isabel Keane

President Donald Trump claimed during the Iowa rally that he has a 99 percent approval rating — and attributed the made-up statistic to CNN.

“The New York Times, every story they write says, ‘The extremely unpopular president!’ I’m at 99 percent according to CNN,” Trump claimed without evidence.

Recent polling has shown Trump’s approval rating has hit historic lows, sitting in the mid 30s.

Trump claimed during Iowa rally that no one knows there's a 'B' in 'dumb'

02:41 , Isabel Keane

Trump comments on how Ashley Hinson used to be 'a little bit heavier'

01:47 , Isabel Keane

Trump on Sunday claimed U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson used to be “a little bit heavier” before alleged protesters erupted in the audience.

“She’s going to be outstanding. You know what I respect...I shouldn’t say this; it’s inappropriate. Now Ashley said, ‘please, sir, don’t do this,” Trump said. “No, it’s true. I knew Ashley for a long time and she was a little bit heavier. Okay? She was.”

“She knew the weight that was on her, and the importance of what she’s doing and went out, the old-fashioned way,” Trump said.

Moments later disruption could be heard among the crowd, which Trump dismissed as protesters, telling the audience to pay them no mind, “they go away quickly.”

Trump plans closing election pitch at the Reflecting Pool after troubled revamp

01:30 , Will Weissert

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he plans to deliver a closing midterm election message at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, putting his delayed, costly, and troubled restoration project back into the spotlight as Election Day approaches.

Speaking to reporters after deplaning from Air Force One before a rally in Iowa, Trump said that holding an event at the landmark would "show how beautiful it is."

"We might hold it tomorrow or something," Trump added without offering specific details. In a social media message posted prior to landing, Trump said his Sunday evening rally in Kansas—following his stop in Iowa— "Will be my last stop."

Read more here.

Nancy Pelosi slams Haley Stevens' endorsement of Republican candidate

00:33 , Isabel Keane

Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi called Democrat Haley Stevens’ endorsement of GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers a “betrayal.”

“Haley Stevens has chosen to dangerously betray Michigan families’ healthcare, freedoms and future with her horrific endorsement of Mike Rogers”, Pelosi wrote on X.

Pelosi noted that the Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed “must win — because Michigan and our country deserve better”.

Trump to speak at Kansas rally Sunday night

00:20 , Isabel Keane

President Donald Trump is expected to speak at a rally at Salina Regional Airport in Kansas on Sunday night.

He will be at the rally in support of Republicans Roger Marshall, who is running for Senate, and Ty Masterson, who is running for governor.

Trump claims everyone running for president should have to take a dementia test

Sunday 1 November 2026 23:15 , Isabel Keane

Trump calls for Ilhan Omar to resign

Sunday 1 November 2026 22:35 , Isabel Keane

“Because she used a fake name to be sworn in I assume that she must immediately resign from Congress,” Trump claimed during the Iowa rally.

His comments come as federal agents recently searched Omar’s home as part of an “ongoing federal criminal investigation.”

Trump claims Somalia has 'ruined' Minnesota, and will ruin Ohio next

Sunday 1 November 2026 22:31 , Isabel Keane

Trump claimed Somalia has “ruined” the state of Minnesota — and are trying to do the same to Ohio.

"Somalia has ruined the state of Minnesota. I don’t want to be controversial but they’re trying to do it to one of my favorite places in the world, Ohio,” Trump said.

“They’re trying to play with the elections....We don't want them,” Trump said to gasps.

Trump repeats electoral strategy, urging fans to pretend he is on the ballot

Sunday 1 November 2026 22:07 , Isabel Keane

President Donald Trump urged the audience at his Iowa rally to “pretend” he is on the ballot — an electoral strategy he has repeated to crowds in recent weeks as Republicans look to keep hold of Congress this midterm election.

“When I’m not on the ballot, much fewer people come out to vote. That’s just the way it is. Midterms,” Trump said. “Pretend I’m on the ballot because essentially I am on the ballot.”

Trump says he would 'love' for Democrat Haley Stevens to join the GOP

Sunday 1 November 2026 22:01 , Isabel Keane

Trump addresses Haley Stevens' endorsement of GOP candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan

Sunday 1 November 2026 21:59 , Isabel Keane

President Donald Trump acknowledged that Democrat Haley Stevens endorsed Mike Rogers, who is a Republican running for Senate in Michigan, instead of Democrat Abdul El-Sayed.

U.S. Rep. Stevens walked back her endorsement of fellow Democrat El-Sayed on Sunday. She had lost the primary to El-Sayed. Her backing of Republican Mike Rogers adds pressure to Michigan’s highly contested race just two days before Election Day.

“Mike Rogers is apple pie and you know what this country needs? A little apple pie,” Trump said. “We don’t need the communists and jihadists and Muslim Brotherhood. We need apple pie. He is apple pie. He’ll be good and we gotta get him in.”

Trump claims protesters 'never work in groups because there aren't many of them'

Sunday 1 November 2026 21:53 , Isabel Keane

President Donald Trump claimed Sunday that protesters interrupting his midterm campaign rally in Iowa “never work in groups because there aren’t many of them.”

Trump stopped multiple times within the first few minutes of his campaign rally to address the protesters, claiming that they are paid to be there and cause a disruption.

At one point later on, Trump told the crowd: “I could use a little love.”

Trump calls protesters in audience 'losers'

Sunday 1 November 2026 21:51 , Isabel Keane

President Donald Trump’s speech Sunday in Iowa was disrupted momentarily by protesters, who he dismissed as “losers” while trying to talk over them.

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 1, 2026

Trump campaigns for Ashley Hinson for Senate, Zach Lahn for Governor

Sunday 1 November 2026 21:42 , Isabel Keane

President Donald Trump took the stage Sunday in Iowa to campaign for Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is competing in a tight race for Senate against Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek.

Trump was also sharing his support for Zach Lahn, who is the Republican running for governor.

Trump to appear at midterm rally in Dubuque, Iowa

Sunday 1 November 2026 21:24 , Isabel Keane

President Donald Trump is set to speak shortly at a midterm rally in Dubuque, Iowa, where Republicans are trying to hold onto a crucial Senate seat and the governor’s office.

The 2nd Congressional District, which includes Dubuque, has also become competitive as the GOP tries to maintain its majority in the House.

The rally was originally scheduled for Saturday before it was canceled and then re-scheduled for Sunday.

Trump reacts to Haley Stevens' endorsement of GOP candidate in Michigan

Sunday 1 November 2026 20:34 , Isabel Keane

President Donald Trump shared his reaction to Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers — over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed – for Senate in Michigan.

“Wow, this is BIG!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Sunday.

“Congresswoman Haley Stevens, a Highly Respected Democrat, who narrowly lost in the Primary to Abdul Mohamed El-Sayed, and who has been breathlessly wined and dined by the Dumocrats to help in their Michigan Campaign for the United States Senate against Mike Rogers, has just ENDORSED Mike Rogers for Senate!”

Trump continued: “Her following is huge, and the level of respect from the People of Michigan, especially our African American and Jewish populations, is virtually unparalleled. Haley said what few people are willing to say. She showed great and almost unprecedented loyalty to the Great People of Michigan with what she did. It’s a thing called bravery, and few people have it like just displayed by Congresswoman Haley Stevens!”

U.S. Rep. Stevens walked back her endorsement of fellow Democrat El-Sayed on Sunday. She had lost the primary to El-Sayed. Her backing of Republican Mike Rogers adds pressure to Michigan’s highly contested race just two days before Election Day.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries 'very confident' Democrats will win back the House

Sunday 1 November 2026 18:16 , Isabel Keane

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told CBS News he was “very confident that House Democrats are on the verge of taking back control.”

Jeffries noted that he thinks Democrats will likely win back the House because “the American people are fed up with MAGA extremism.”

When asked whether he thinks President Donald Trump will accept the results come Election Day, Jeffries told CBS that Trump “will have no choice but to accept the results, because I believe that the American people are on the verge of delivering a decisive verdict."

Alaska GOP Sen. says duplicate candidate plot shows opponent's 'disdain' toward Alaskans

Sunday 1 November 2026 17:45 , Isabel Keane

Alaska GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan slammed his Democratic opponent Mary Peltola’s campaign over its alleged involvement in recruiting another man named Dan Sullivan to also run for Senate.

Sullivan declined to tell CNN whether he thought the alleged actions of Peltola’s campaign were a crime, which other Republicans have suggested.

“I’ll let the lawyers figure that out,” Sullivan told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Saturday.

(Getty)

“Whether or not this is legal or not, and I think you know there’s some good arguments on both sides… the key thing I’m focused on is looking at Peltola and her team — and the Democrats in DC, and how they treat Alaskans with disdain.”

Trump says defeated Brazilian presidential candidate can stay in the U.S.

Sunday 1 November 2026 17:15 , Isabel Keane

President Donald Trump said Saturday that defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro can stay in the United States.

(Getty)

"He can stay here as long as he wants," Trump told reporters Saturday during his Mar-a-Lago Halloween party.

Bolsonaro left Brazil after losing the election to leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

"In my opinion, the election was a disgrace."

View Original Article

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