President Donald Trump canceled his scheduled rally in Salina, Kansas, this weekend and will instead hold a series of virtual tele-rallies to support Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

The event at Salina Regional Airport had been set for Saturday as part of Trump's final push to energize voters. The Republican National Committee announced the change Thursday evening, stating that the shift allows the president to connect with supporters in nearly 20 states during the limited time remaining before polls close.

RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said the virtual format will deliver a major boost in the closing days. Party officials noted strong positions for Republican candidates in Kansas and Iowa, where another rally was also scrapped.

Trump addressed the decision while speaking to reporters. He said he did not need to travel to Kansas because Sen. Roger Marshall is performing well in his reelection bid. The president also pushed back on questions about his schedule and energy level after weeks of frequent campaign stops.

The Kansas race has drawn attention because polls show Marshall in a close contest with Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton. No Democrat has won a Senate seat in the state since 1932. Trump previously visited Kansas earlier this month to back Marshall and other Republicans on the ballot.

The tele-rallies will target states including Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Montana, and South Carolina in addition to Kansas and Iowa. Organizers described the approach as an efficient way to maximize the president's reach during the final stretch.

Election Day falls on Tuesday, November 3. Republicans are working to hold or expand majorities in Congress amid competitive races in several states.