Amid concerns over coronavirus, Trump turns to ‘tele-rallies’ to drive support

The Hill logoPresident Trump held his first “tele-rallies” over the weekend, signaling a shift in campaigning as the coronavirus pandemic has rendered his signature large gatherings impractical.

Trump held virtual rallies targeted at supporters in Wisconsin, Arizona, Michigan and North Carolina across three days, speaking over the phone for roughly 25 minutes in each case. The events were broadcast live on Facebook as the president attempts to reach voters in new ways while in-person campaigning is put on hold.

The president has pushed for a return to normalcy across the country even as the United States recently recorded more than 70,000 new coronavirus cases in one day. But with his shift to virtual campaign events, Trump acknowledged that the rallies were not feasible as many Americans remain cautious about venturing out into large crowds. Continue reading.