Trump announces weapons testing 'super range' in Montana at midterm rally

President Donald Trump announced during an October 14, 2026 campaign rally in Kalispell, Montana, that the Department of War will establish a new military 'super range' in the state to test advanced weapons, including hypersonic systems, autonomous weapons, and electronic warfare technologies. Speaking at the Majestic Valley Arena, Trump leveraged the announcement to bolster Republican candidates Aaron Flint and Kurt Alme ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, while also defending gun rights and tariff policies.

Announcement of Montana military super range

• ▪President Donald Trump announced on October 14, 2026, at a Kalispell, Montana midterm rally at Majestic Valley Arena, that the Department of War will establish a new military 'super range' for testing advanced weapons
• ▪President Donald Trump did not specify the exact location, cost, or starting timeline for the proposed military super range in Montana
• ▪The Montana super range planned by President Trump will conduct testing for autonomous weapons, space and electronic warfare technology, supersonics, and hypersonics

Support for Montana Republican candidates

• ▪Republican candidate Aaron Flint is running against Democrat Sam Forstag for an open seat in Montana's 1st Congressional District being vacated by Representative Ryan Zinke
• ▪President Donald Trump appeared alongside House candidate Aaron Flint and Senate candidate Kurt Alme during his campaign stop at the Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell, Montana
• ▪President Donald Trump campaigned in Kalispell, Montana, on October 14, 2026, as part of a Western swing to boost Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections
• ▪President Donald Trump highlighted National Rifle Association ratings, stating that Republican candidates Aaron Flint and Kurt Alme received top ratings while Democratic Senate candidate Alani Bankhead received an F

Second Amendment arguments

• ▪During his October 14, 2026 rally, President Donald Trump pledged that the Second Amendment would not be infringed if voters elect Republicans
• ▪President Donald Trump warned at his October 14 rally in Kalispell, Montana that wild animals would benefit if Democrats succeeded in taking away Americans' guns

Economic and trade arguments

• ▪President Donald Trump argued at his Montana rally that his tariff policies had protected American sawmills from going out of business
• ▪At his October 14, 2026 rally in Montana, President Donald Trump argued that tariffs cause wealth rather than inflation and defended his trade policies

Hypersonic weapons development

• ▪According to the Government Accountability Office, hypersonic weapons are among the advanced military capabilities currently under development by the Pentagon
• ▪Hypersonic and supersonic weapons travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and Mach 1 respectively