By Jacob Halbesma, Staff Writer

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump visited the Greater Cincinnati area, making stops in Reading, Ohio and Hebron, KY. His visit focused on discussing midterm elections, the current economy and addressing ongoing foreign policy matters, including the conflict with Iran.

His first time coming to the region in his second term as president, on March 11, Trump visited Thermo Fisher Scientific facilities in Reading, Ohio, which delivers scientific, pharmaceutical and biotechnological products. He spoke about TrumpRx.gov, a new platform he created that will attempt to offer benefits and discounted prescription drugs. 

“Ohio is important. Trump carried the state three times and there are several important statewide races coming up this year – including one for a senate seat that could decide which party controls the chamber,” Xavier political science professor Mack Mariani said. 

Additionally, he addressed the current state of the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. 

“We’ve knocked out their Navy and their military in all forms. They’ve got a new group coming up, let’s see what happens to them,” Trump said. 

He also delivered remarks in northern Kentucky at packaging and logistics company, Verst Logistics.

During his speech a member of the crowd appeared to collapse due to a medical episode. First responders were able to help her out of the audience. While they were administering aid, Trump suggested that the sound technicians play ‘Ave Maria’, a song that is a popular choice for Catholic funerals, weddings and Mass.

Later, he invited internet personality Jake Paul onstage to deliver a brief statement, jokingly saying if Paul was to ever run for political office, he would have his complete and total endorsement. Paul praised Trump for teaching him courage and for inspiring local communities to support American industry.

The visit coincides with the president’s potential influence in a major congressional race. Republican Ed Gallrein could replace Republican Thomas Massie in the May primary. During his speech, Trump called Massie a nutjob, stupid and a disaster saying, “I just can’t stand this guy.”

“Massie’s election will be a real test of the president’s political influence. Like everything else in the midterms, it’ll come down to turnout,” Mariani said.

Massie and Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna have formed an “unlikely bipartisan alliance to champion anti-elite, transparency-focused causes.” Their key partnership is leading the Epstein Files Transparency Act, forcing government documents regarding Jeffrey Epstein to be released to the public

“Massie is a political unicorn, there’s really no one else like him in Congress. In many respects, his political beliefs are probably more in-tune with Trump’s base than Trump himself, like foreign policy, where Massie is a staunch isolationist,” first-year Philosophy, Politics, and the Public major Grant Lemmenes, who is a Kentucky native, said.

 Trump’s visit also prompted local protests, specifically along his motorcade route and outside facilities that he would be speaking at. 

Overall, Trump’s visit hammered home his stance on current economic conditions and global conflict, while attempting to boost Republican popularity in key midterm primaries in an effort to oust political opponents in Ohio and Kentucky.