WorldTHE LATEST

Trump absent from GOP ads; France protests; Egypt on Saudi defence

Republican candidates are skipping Trump in their ads even in deep-red districts where they once featured him, while he campaigns in person; the party seems conflicted.

On air: Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance on The Weekend Shift
Published 10:31 AM ET, Saturday, October 17, 2026

Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: Donald Trump — Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by Politico: “Trump is hitting the campaign trail. But he's missing from GOP ads.”, with reporting from Al Jazeera.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10:31 AM ET on The Weekend Shift, by Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance.
Topics: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, France, GOP, Trump.
BBN covered this story before: Trump taps athletes to help turn out low-propensity male voters for… (October 16).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

PoliticoTrump is hitting the campaign trail. But he's missing from GOP ads.
Al JazeeraEgypt’s Sisi seeks authorisation for defence assistance to Saudi Arabia

What BBN said about it

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentEgypt's president says he will take any measure to help defend Saudi Arabia if it is requested, and he is seeking authorisation to do it.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn other news, Republican candidates are leaving Trump out of their ads, even in deep-red districts where they used to feature him, according to Politico.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHe's out campaigning in person, but his own party is treating him like a tagged photo they'd rather untag.