Former President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Gastonia, North Carolina on Wednesday to support Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley in his race against Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper. Trump told attendees to “pretend I’m on the ticket” and cast the election as a choice between his preferred candidate and what he characterized as a “radical” Democrat.
The rally marked Trump’s first campaign appearance following the Republican party’s convention last week, where he delivered similar messaging to party delegates. Democrats view the North Carolina Senate seat as a rare flipping opportunity, as the incumbent Republican senator announced his retirement. Trump emphasized Whatley’s loyalty, describing him as a hand-picked choice and praising him as “one of the greatest men I ever worked with in government.” Whatley reciprocated, calling Trump “the greatest president of our lifetime.”
Trump’s campaign message focused on crime and public safety. He referenced the 2024 killing of a Ukrainian refugee in Charlotte, making claims that critics say misrepresented the circumstances of the case. He also drew parallels to the infamous “Willie Horton” advertisement from the 1988 presidential campaign, calling Cooper a “murderer protector” and contrasting him with Whatley as the “candidate of law and order.”
Democrats countered Trump’s appearance by highlighting economic concerns, with state Senator Woodson Bradley questioning why Whatley backed policies Democrats argue contribute to inflation and rising costs for families. Trump also used the rally to attack the Federal Reserve following the central bank’s decision to raise interest rates, calling officials “very hostile” and arguing that rates were too high.
Republicans face significant headwinds in the state, where recent polling has shown Cooper leading Whatley despite Democrats’ inability to win a statewide Senate race there since 2008. Independent voters comprise a substantial portion of the electorate, and surveys indicate concerns about the economy, pricing, and the administration’s foreign policy affect voter sentiment.
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