Former President Donald Trump is reportedly planning a tele-rally in support of Republican Virginia gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkin.
Bloomberg, citing a person familiar with his plans, reported that the Trump event would take place on Monday night, Election Day eve.
The Youngkin campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is unclear if the campaign was previously aware of or involved with the tele-rally.
The report follows a Trump statement on Wednesday about a chant during the Tuesday rally with President Joe Biden and Democratic former Gov. Terry McAulife, Youngkin’s opponent, that teased a potential appearance: “Chanting, ‘We love Trump’ in Arlington, Va. Thank you, Arlington, see you soon!”
JOE BIDEN HELPS TERRY MCAULIFE PAINT YOUNGKIN AS AN ‘ACOLYTE OF DONALD TRUMP’
Some in the audience yelled, “We love Joe!” but others say they heard “We love Trump!”
Youngkin on Thursday told reporters that he has not spoken to Trump but that he knew he was not coming to the state before Election Day.
McAuliffe has made it his core campaign argument to tie Youngkin to Trump. Youngkin, though, has declined to make Trump part of his core message, focusing instead on state issues, and has not brought in a wave of national figures to campaign with him.
Democrats have been champing at the bit every time Trump has come up in the race as Youngkin rises in the polls, and any Monday rally could cause last-minute headaches.
A recent “Take Back Virginia Rally” included “Trump in heels” state Sen. Amanda Chase, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon (whom the House last week voted to hold in contempt of Congress for refusing to respond to a subpoena from the committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot), and a call-in from Trump. Youngkin did not attend the rally.
During that event, Trump repeated his claim that he actually won the 2020 election. Attendees recited the pledge of allegiance to an American flag that was reportedly carried at the “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6 before the Capitol attack.
Youngkin said in a statement that it is “weird and wrong” to pledge allegiance to a flag connected to Jan. 6.
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Tele-rallies are dial-in events with supporters and can range in time, and some previous Trump tele-rallies for specific candidates have lasted only a few minutes.
In a call with supporters last week, a top Youngkin campaign strategist told down-ballot Republicans to stay on message.
