Trump rallies for Whatley in Gastonia

President Trump held a campaign rally in Gastonia, North Carolina on Wednesday night to support Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley against Democrat Roy Cooper.

“The golden age of America is upon us, but you must get out and vote and vote for Michael Whatley.”

Whatley is Trump's handpicked candidate

Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman making his first bid for public office, was personally selected by Trump to run for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Thom Tillis.

Trump praises Whatley's party leadership

Trump told ABC11 that he made Whatley chairman of the Republican National Committee because of his effectiveness in winning North Carolina elections, calling him brilliant, tough, and smart.

“He's a good man. He's a great, great person.”

Whatley trails Cooper in polls and fundraising

Despite Trump's backing, Whatley has trailed Cooper in both fundraising and polling over the summer, with Real Clear Polling showing Cooper with an average 7.8-point lead.

Cooper is Democrats' strongest recruit

Roy Cooper, the former governor and attorney general, has never lost a statewide race in North Carolina and is viewed as Democrats' best chance to flip the Senate seat.

Trump defends Iran war economic costs

Trump acknowledged that gas prices are higher because of his Iran war but argued it's a worthwhile price to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“It's a very inexpensive price to pay for what we've done.”

Whatley faces balancing act with Trump

Whatley must maximize support from Trump's core supporters while not alienating voters who have soured on the administration due to inflation and the Iran war.

Independent voters outnumber both parties

North Carolina has more than 3.5 million independent voters who outnumber registered Democrats and Republicans. These voters are more concerned about the economy than crime or immigration.

Trump attacks Cooper on crime and Helene

Trump blamed Cooper for a North Carolina murder and accused him of doing nothing after Hurricane Helene in 2024, recycling inaccurate claims about Cooper's record.

“You've got to remember this, two things, crime and Helene.”

Trump falsely blames Cooper for prisoner release

Trump claimed Cooper released a man charged with murder, but the prisoner was actually released through a COVID-era court settlement involving civil rights groups, not a Cooper policy.

Whatley holds energy company stock

Whatley's financial disclosures show he holds stock in ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and other energy firms. Democrats argue this creates a conflict of interest regarding his support for the Iran war.

Democrats attack Whatley's energy ties

State Senator Woodson Bradley questioned why Whatley backs a war driving up fuel prices while holding energy company stock, calling it a conflict of interest for North Carolina families.

“Why would Whatley back a war that is driving up prices for North Carolina families at a time when it's already too hard for us to get by?”

Whatley makes public safety his centerpiece

Whatley has won endorsements from several law enforcement groups and made public safety the centerpiece of his campaign, focusing on crime and criminal justice issues.

Cooper defends his criminal justice record

Cooper's campaign points to his 16 years as attorney general and two terms as governor, during which he prosecuted rapists and violent criminals and signed tough-on-crime laws.

Republicans outspend Democrats on ads

Republican spending on the Senate race has topped 50 million dollars, while Democrats have spent almost 35.2 million dollars, with Trump's MAGA Inc. and conservative PACs accounting for the Republican advantage.

Attorney General Blanche campaigns for Whatley

Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke at the rally, underscoring the White House's priority of helping Whatley and breaking with tradition by participating in partisan campaigning.

Trump endorses other North Carolina Republicans

Trump also endorsed Laurie Buckhout for the redrawn first district House seat and Jennifer Balkcom for the eleventh district, both races listed as leaning Republican.

Trump warns of dire consequences if GOP loses

Trump cast the midterms as a dire national choice, telling voters that if Republicans lose control of Congress, they will lose their border, tax cuts, and wealth.

“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.”