US President Donald Trump on 18 September 2026 urged Virginia voters to treat the upcoming November 3 congressional elections as though he himself were on the ballot, warning that Democratic victories would imperil his administration's core agenda. Speaking via a virtual tele-rally, Trump formally endorsed three Republican incumbents seeking re-election in key Virginia districts.

The Endorsements and the Appeal

Trump threw his support behind Representative Rob Wittman (Virginia's 1st Congressional District), Representative Jen Kiggans (Virginia's 2nd Congressional District), and Representative John McGuire (Virginia's 5th Congressional District). He returned repeatedly to the theme of voter turnout, arguing that his presence on past ballots had driven outsized Republican participation.

'And you have to do one favor for me, pretend that I'm on the ballot,' Trump said. 'Because when I've been on the ballot, which has been three times, we've gotten tremendous turnout. And when I'm not, we don't get the same turnout.'

Policy Stakes Trump Laid Out

The president framed the three contests as a referendum on Republican tax and spending priorities, specifically crediting all three lawmakers with backing what he called the 'Great Big, Beautiful Bill'. He highlighted what he described as tax relief on tips, overtime, and Social Security, and alleged — without a Democratic rebuttal in the supplied material — that Democrats would terminate those benefits and pursue tax increases.

'So, uh, we worked and we got all of these things for you, and we're gonna keep them for you,' Trump said.

Profiles Trump Highlighted

Trump praised Wittman, vice-chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, for securing military investment and supporting the administration's tax legislation. He also credited Wittman with voting for the Save America Act. Turning to Kiggans, a former Navy helicopter pilot, Trump lauded her economic record and her vote to ban insider trading by members of Congress — a ban he said he would personally support. He praised McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, as a consistent supporter of border restrictions, lower taxes, reduced regulations, military strength, and veterans' causes.

Attacks on Democratic Opponents

Trump also named the Democrats running against the three incumbents — Shannon Taylor, Elaine Luria, and Tom Perriello — and alleged positions on policing, congressional trading, and immigration. No responses from the three Democratic candidates were included in the available material. The allegations were not independently verified.

What Comes Next

Trump concluded by urging supporters to vote on election day or use early voting, calling November 3 'a very big day for America' and promising further campaign support for the three endorsed Republicans. The Virginia races are now squarely in the national spotlight, with the White House treating them as an early stress test for the administration's legislative coalition ahead of any broader mid-term dynamics.