Trump targets Louisiana with election eve tele-rally: ‘I don’t see how Julia can possibly lose’

President Donald Trump, winding down a monthlong string of in-person rallies ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections, used technology Monday night to speak to his supporters in Louisiana, urging them to vote for Congresswoman Julia Letlow in the state’s U.S. Senate race. 

The 10-minute “tele-rally” on the eve of Election Day was the first occasion in which the president has actively campaigned for Letlow since she secured the Republic Party’s nomination in June. The call was planned late last week, just after early voting turnout data showed numbers favoring her opponent, Democrat Jamie Davis. 

Democrats accounted for more than 42% of all votes cast in the seven-day period, compared with 39% for Republicans. Black voters posted their highest turnout rate ever in a midterm election, accounting for 34% of the ballots cast.

Trump’s call was open only to invited supporters who were given access numbers to dial into the teleconference. A recording of his message was posted to YouTube soon afterwards. 

Trump called Davis “a loser” who he said “wants to destroy all of the tremendous success” Louisiana has seen during his presidency. 

“I don’t see how Julia can possibly lose to this person. I have no idea who that person is,” the president said.

Trump highlighted several industrial projects announced in Louisiana since Republican Gov. Jeff Landry took office in January 2024. He specifically mentioned the expansion of liquified natural gas terminals and the selection of Vermilion Parish for a new SpaceX launch facility, which Trump said he recommended to company founder Elon Musk. 

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, introduced the president, who asked listeners to ensure that the speaker and Letlow are sent back to Congress. 

Trump’s pleas come as national election analysts predict Democrats will gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives and have a chance to gain a majority in the U.S. Senate.

“If they get their claws onto a win tomorrow, it would be the beginning of a very, very sad period for our nation,” Trump said to his Louisiana listeners, who he claimed numbered in the “hundreds of thousands.”

The Republican National Committee organized the call, one of nine the president took part in Monday, and couldn’t be reached immediately to confirm that count.