Trump makes one last pitch to Michigan voters

US President Donald Trump on Sunday launched one final test of whether the large crowds at his rallies will translate into votes as he races through the final 48 hours of the 2020 campaign with an onslaught of events in the states that could decide the race.

A rally north of Detroit on a frigid morning kicked off a frenzied blitz of campaigning over the last two days before the election, with nine more rallies to go.

Down in the polls and at a cash disadvantage to Democrat Joe Biden, Trump is turning to these large gatherings to help keep his message in front of voters.

He began the final push in Washington, Michigan, at an outdoor rally with whipping winds and temperatures that felt well below freezing.

"It's really a contest to see if we can all stand it. And we'll get through it. And we'll love it," said Trump, who jokingly complained throughout his speech about the cold.

"Proud citizens like you helped build this country and together we are taking back our country. We are returning power to you, the American people. With your help, your devotion and your drive, we are going to keep on working, we are going to keep on fighting. And we are going to keep on winning, winning, winning," he later said.

It's unclear whether the rallies will broaden his appeal beyond those people already likely to vote for him, and the packed — often unmasked — crowds risk deepening the pandemic at a time when coronavirus cases are rising.

But Trump, still relishing his late surge against Hillary Clinton in 2016, sees his showmanship as a central element of his outsider appeal that he hopes will resonate once more.

With more than 91 million votes already cast, Trump and Biden are out of time to reshape the race.

Instead, they're focusing on their base and making sure that any potential supporters have either already voted or plan to do so in person on Tuesday.

It's the first stop of Trump's final blitz of 10 rallies in the final 48 hours of the campaign.

On Sunday, he is also visiting Iowa, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.