Trump making his 11th trip to the state
When President Donald Trump returns to Houston on Sunday, it will mark his fifth visit to city and 11th to the state since he took office in 2017.
He’s been to Houston more than he has been to 34 other states. And his 11 stops in Texas make the Lone Star State one of his 10 most frequently visited places since he was elected.
The president is scheduled to be in Houston with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi at NRG Stadium.
Trump has been to Houston twice in the past year. He was in the Bayou City in April when he attended a private fundraiser and delivered a speech focused on the oil and gas industry. And 11 months ago he was at the Toyota Center holding a rally in support of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s re-election.
Trump already has visited Texas as many times as former President Barack Obama did in two full two terms. In his first four years as president, Obama visited Texas four times. He only visited Houston once during his eight years in office.
Many of Trump’s visits have been prompted by tragedy. Twice he came to Texas after Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017. And in August of this year, he was in El Paso after a mass shooter killed 22 people.
Texas also has been a draw for Trump because it’s so critical to his campaign promises related to border security. Trump has visited San Antonio, El Paso and McAllen in the past year to promote
his call for a border wall.
Trump’s constant trips to Texas also come as some Republicans warn the state will be far more of a battleground in 2020 than in years past.