'The Beast is going faster than ever': Trump races to GOP midterm rally after flight delay

DURANT, OKLAHOMA: President Donald Trump traveled roughly 85 miles from Texas to Oklahoma in his presidential motorcade after weather prevented planes and helicopters from landing on Thursday.

Journalist Nick Sortor reported that the motorcade moved at unusually high speed as Trump, who refused to postpone the event, pushed to reach the rally.

Trump arrived nearly two hours late in Durant, where he launched an expected month-long campaign blitz 33 days before the November 2026 midterm elections, The Hill and Breitbart reported on Friday, October 2.

Trump pushes through weather delay for Oklahoma rally

Trump had been scheduled to speak in Durant after campaigning for Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in Denton, Texas.

The weather disrupted those plans, forcing Trump to travel by road rather than air.

“There was a major weather delay, and the planes and helicopters were not able to land, so we’re driving up from Texas,” Trump said on Truth Social. 

“They wanted me to postpone the event, and I said, ‘NO WAY, I’M GOING TO OKLAHOMA!’” he added.

Trump then described the speed of his presidential vehicle, writing, “The Beast is going faster than it has ever gone before.”

He later posted, “I’m almost there Oklahoma — 10 minutes!”

Sortor reported that he had “clocked” the Beast going at just under 100 mph as it traveled toward the Choctaw Event Center.

Trump's Oklahoma appearance marked his first in the state since 2020.

He was campaigning for Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei and Rep Kevin Hern, who is running for Senate.

Trump urges Oklahoma voters to treat him as a candidate

Trump used the event to press supporters to vote as though he himself were on the ballot, telling thousands gathered at the event center that Republican turnout rises when his name appears on ballots.

“We do great when I’m on the ballot,” Trump said. “Pretend I’m running please, because I’m on the ballot.”

He said Republicans need to maintain control of Congress to advance his agenda and acknowledged that roughly two dozen races will determine control of the House and Senate.

Trump also pointed to his electoral record in Oklahoma, saying he won all 77 counties during the three times he appeared on the ballot.

Many supporters waited hours in the rain, and Trump said additional people remained outside after the event center reached capacity.

President attacks Democrats and renews $5,000 pledge

Trump blamed Democrats for high inflation, energy prices and the trade deficit while promoting what he described as economic successes by his administration.

He also highlighted policies involving crime, taxes, prescription medicine prices and border security, and accused Democrats of supporting “socialists and communists.”

“The country is experiencing a ‘golden age’ and will go back to the dark age under Democrats,” Trump said.

Trump also linked the midterms to his broader agenda, telling the crowd, “If the Republicans win the House and the Senate, I am going to give all adult citizens of the United States a check for $5,000.”

He additionally discussed the war with Iran, arguing that it was important that Iran never obtain a nuclear weapon and saying previous presidents should have addressed the country’s nuclear aspirations sooner.