Trump, Vance and Obama are making closing stretch appeals to midterm voters in pivotal states

President Donald Trump's campaign is making a final push to keep Republicans in control of Congress in the Nov 3 midterms, with stops in Ohio, Georgia, and other pivotal states. Trump's focus is on states he won handily two years ago, as Americans confront record fuel prices and an unpopular war in Iran.

Trump's campaign is being sustained by his signature super PAC, MAGA Inc. , which has helped fund Republican candidates.

The president's stops in the closing stretch reflect Republicans' defensive posture, with many candidates facing tough re-election battles. In Ohio, the Republican ticket includes Vivek Ramaswamy, a wealthy biotech executive, and Sen Jon Husted, who is seeking to fulfill the remainder of JD Vance's term.

Ramaswamy faces former public health official Amy Acton, who has been the subject of controversy over an ad her campaign ran. Former President Barack Obama is increasingly campaigning for Democrats, acting as a foil to Trump.

In Georgia, Obama will appear with former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is seeking to become the first Black woman elected governor in the United States. In Ohio, the Democratic nominee, former Sen Sherrod Brown, faces Ramaswamy.

Brown has been critical of Trump's White House renovations and his increasing wealth while in office. Trump's campaign has been focused on states he won handily two years ago, but the president's stops in the closing stretch reflect the party's defensive posture.

With less than a week until Election Day, Republicans are facing tough re-election battles. The Republican ticket in Ohio includes Husted, who has been praised by Trump for his physical appearance.

However, Husted has distanced himself from an ad run by Ramaswamy's campaign, which featured Acton's mother criticizing her daughter.