Trump Campaigns for Whatley in North Carolina
President Donald Trump addressed a crowd in Gastonia, North Carolina, to show his support for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, who once held the position of chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC).
As he often does in the lead-up to elections, Trump asked voters to act as if he were on the ballot, rallying enthusiasm for Whatley. He mentioned, “I’m asking you to pretend I’m on the ballot just one more time,” asserting that Republican candidates tend to perform well when he is involved.
“When I’m on the ticket, Republicans have always done really well. They go out, they vote, everybody gets elected,” Trump noted. He also warned that a loss could have serious repercussions, including losing tax cuts and safety, remarking, “If we lose, you’re going to lose your border, you’re going to lose your tax cuts, you’re going to lose your wealth, and our country is going to go through hell.”
In his hour-long speech, Trump criticized Whatley’s opponent, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, focusing on the large number of inmates released during Cooper’s term in 2021. He stated, “Nobody used to think of North Carolina as a dangerous state, and now it’s one of the most violent and one of the worst in the whole nation, and it all started with Cooper.”
This release of roughly 3,500 inmates was part of an agreement with civil rights groups. Most of those freed were already due for release, with reports indicating that over 600 reoffended after their release.
Trump also took aim at Cooper’s response to Hurricane Helene, which had devastated the South in September 2024. He remarked on Cooper’s delayed reaction, stating, “His handling of the hurricane, the problem didn’t get fixed until … January 20th,” and recalled receiving a call from Whatley asking for assistance right after he was inaugurated for his second term.
“That’s why sometimes I don’t like him, he’s too aggressive,” Trump joked about Whatley’s assertiveness in dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.
Trump shared a poignant story about Iryna Zarutska, a young Ukrainian refugee killed on a light rail in Charlotte, highlighting broader concerns about crime. According to the NY Post, the suspect in her murder had a substantial criminal history but was not among those released under Cooper’s settlement.
“You can either vote for Roy Cooper to set loose criminals who rape and murder your children and your population, or you can vote for Michael Whatley to protect and defend your children and your population,” Trump stated emphatically.
Whatley joined Trump on stage, expressing his commitment to the former president and urging North Carolinians to rally behind Trump once more. “Here we are 11 years later, and every single day Donald Trump is fighting to make America great. And I am still with that guy,” he affirmed.
The president also introduced other candidates, urging the crowd to support them along with Whatley. He emphasized the importance of voter participation, declaring that “the golden age of America is upon us.”
Trump concluded with familiar slogans from his campaign, stating, “With your help, we will make America powerful again, we will make America wealthy again, we will make America healthy again, we will make America strong again, we will make America proud again, and we will make America safe again.”
