Trump's presidency under the spotlight as US mid-terms loom

Trump's presidency under the spotlight as US mid-terms loom

Donald Trump was the first Republican presidential candidate to win Wisconsin since 1984

Americans are celebrating the annual Labour Day holiday on Monday, the traditional starting point for the race to the mid-term elections in November.

This year's congressional elections are likely to be a referendum on Donald Trump's unconventional presidency and could see Republicans hit by a Democrat "blue wave".

Polls suggest Republicans could lose control of the lower House of Representatives, potentially crippling Mr Trump's agenda and increasing the chances of Democrats seeking impeachment proceedings.

Some of the states in which Mr Trump secured unexpected victories in 2016 contain some of the most vulnerable seats in 2018.

In Wisconsin, which Mr Trump was the first Republican presidential candidate to win since 1984, there are signs his populist magic might be wearing off.


Image: Wisconsin was traditionally a Democrat stronghold

Mother-of-two Jen Anderson, who remains a strong supporter of Mr Trump's economic agenda, fears the enthusiasm for the president may not reach 2016 levels again.

She said: "Anybody that was just in that general conservative and Republican space is going to be pretty happy with what he's done, even if they don't like the specific person.

"As far as if there's that enthusiasm there, I think that was a unique, once-in-a-lifetime thing, you can't be the outsider again."

Image: Jen Anderson is a strong supporter of Mr Trump's economic agenda

There is certainly no shortage of enthusiasm among Democrats trying to increase the youth vote this November.

Campaigners from NextGen America, a political action committee bankrolled by anti-Trump billionaire Tom Steyer, have been canvassing on campuses across the US, including the University of Wisconsin in the state capital Madison.

Activist Nada Elmikashfi says that, as a young, black, Muslim woman, she feel this election is pivotal for a generation.

Image: Activist Nada Elmikashfi feels this election is pivotal

"I talk to a lot of people from the community I identify with and we felt that the government was coming after us and we had to defend ourselves as Americans.

"That really motivated us about voting because that is one of the most important ways we can fight back against Trump."

Image: Democrats are trying to increase the youth vote

Democrats have registered wins in state and local elections across the US in recent months.

Joe Zepecki, a Democrat strategist in Wisconsin, said: "None of that means we know what is going to happen in November but it certainly a reason that Republican candidates, strategists and office-holder are concerned."

Image: Joe Zepecki: 'Republican candidates, strategists and office-holder are concerned'

This Labour Day holiday has seen hundreds of thousands of Harley-Davidson owners descend on the motorcycle's home city of Milwaukee for the company's 115th birthday.

Mr Trump has often claimed Harley owners as the epitome of his support, but he has also called for a boycott of the company over its plans to build machines overseas - which was their response to his imposition of trade tariffs.

Image: Harley fan John Grohman says Mr Trump needs to hold off on Twitter

At the Harley museum there was weariness among 'Hog' owners with his combative stance.

"Every now and then he needs to lay off Twitter," said John Grohman. "It does good and it does bad."