Trump Rallies for Whatley in North Carolina, Blasting Democrats on Crime
President Donald Trump campaigned for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley in Gastonia, North Carolina, on Wednesday, leaning heavily into a law-and-order message while attacking Democrats over crime rates and policies. According to reporting, Trump used his hourlong airport rally speech to warn voters against Democratic candidate Roy Cooper, framing the high-stakes election as a critical choice for the future of the U.S. Senate majority.
Law and Order Focus at the Gastonia Airport Rally
Addressing a crowd in deep-red Gastonia outside Charlotte, Trump asserted that Democratic leadership has fostered dangerous conditions across the Tar Heel State. The president peppered his remarks with graphic details of violent crimes, utilizing an oversize video screen displaying mug shots of unnamed criminal suspects to underscore his point. He specifically criticized former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, warning rally attendees about the direction of the state’s criminal justice system.
“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 told the crowd, as cited.
Trump placed direct blame on Cooper for shifting safety metrics. “Nobody used to think of North Carolina as a dangerous state,” Trump said. “And now it’s one of the most violent and one of the worst in the whole nation. And it all started with Cooper.”
Contrasting figures provide a complex view of the state’s public safety record during Cooper’s tenure. North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation data shows that the state’s crime index rate per 100,000 people rose by 2.3 percent between 2022 and 2023. However, data from the same agency indicates that over Cooper’s final two full years in office, 2023 and 2024, the index rate dropped by 4.2 percent.
The Stakes of the North Carolina Senate Race
The Senate contest in North Carolina carries massive national implications. The seat is currently held by retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis, a frequent Trump critic. With Democrats needing a net gain of just four seats in the November midterms to capture the Senate majority, the Tar Heel State represents a prime pickup opportunity.
Despite Trump’s frequent visits—Wednesday’s rally marks his third trip to the state since December in support of Whatley—polling indicates a steep uphill battle for the Republican nominee. An Elon University poll cited showed Cooper leading Whatley by 11 percentage points among likely voters. Political analysts note that Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman, suffers from lower statewide name recognition compared to Cooper, a popular two-term former governor.
Financial disclosures underscore the disparity between the two campaigns.
National Security, Economic Pressures, and Campaign Norms
Beyond local crime statistics, the rally touched on national economic anxieties and foreign policy tensions. Republican candidates nationwide face significant political headwinds, including persistent inflation, high fuel costs, and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Trump addressed high gasoline prices during his speech, linking them to recent geopolitical developments involving Israel and Iran.
A notable aspect of the Gastonia event was the appearance of U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche as a speaker preceding the president. His participation at a partisan political rally marks a departure from post-Watergate norms designed to insulate the nation’s chief law enforcement officer from partisan politics.
With just 48 days remaining until the November elections, both parties are mobilizing resources across North Carolina.