Squint and it could be 2016. Donald Trump on a campaign stage, ad-libbing his way through an 80-minute speech as his supporters go wild.

Crowd members chanting "lock her up" at every mention of Hillary Clinton and booing the “fake news” media. "Make America Great Again" hats are everywhere.

The only giveaway is the podium, which sports a presidential seal that had not been secured during the raucous election campaign two years ago.

This week, Mr Trump returned to where he feels most at home – the campaign trail. With the mid-term elections now just three months away, the president is ramping up his engagement.

He attended no fewer than three rallies in five days this week – Florida on Tuesday, Pennsylvania on Thursday and Ohio on Saturday.

All three are swing states and all three – as Mr Trump does not fail to mention – went his way the day he defeated Mrs Clinton.