RNC Chair says Trump is 'playing offense' by visiting solid blue states

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley said former President Trump is “playing offense” by visiting blue states.

“Donald Trump is playing offense right now. We are seeing numbers. We are seeing indicators that show us that those states may be in play,” Whatley told NewsNation’s Blake Burman on Wednesday.

With just days remaining before Election Day, Trump is expected to make two quick trips to more blue states. He will make stops in New Mexico, Nevada and Virginia.

Whatley expressed confidence Wednesday about the seven swing states.

“What we’re seeing right now in the battleground states is Donald Trump continuing to have small but durable leads,” he said. “We feel that we’re in a great position, given the early votes and the absentee votes for him, to expect that we’re going to go into this Election Day with a great opportunity to win this thing.”

Whatley then argued that Vice President Harris is “playing defense right now.”

“She’s playing defense in terms of her messaging; she’s playing defense in terms of her polling,” he continued. “She is playing defense, really, in terms of having to withdraw resources from states like North Carolina.”

Earlier this month, Trump held a rare rally in California’s Coachella Valley. The event was held in the Democrat-held 25th Congressional District as Republicans sought to maintain their lead in the six competitive congressional seats in the state.

Polling shows a slim lead for Democrats, but strategists say Trump’s rally indicates the Republican Party looks to defend and flip some seats where President Biden won and Harris served in California.

The Hill has reached out to the Harris campaign for comment.