Trump in North Carolina says Democrats are soft on crime, communism

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump campaigned in Gastonia, North Carolina, for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, who is trailing his Democratic opponent, Roy Cooper. Trump emphasized exaggerated claims that Democrats favor crime and communism, themes he plans to repeat in his promised series of appearances across the country ahead of the November midterm elections.

All 435 congressional seats and 34 of the Senate's 100 seats will be up for grabs in the upcoming elections, with Democrats favored to regain control of the House and Republicans in contention for the Senate majority.

During his campaign stop, Trump predicted electoral victory for Whatley, while misstating the character of the Democratic Party. He declared, "You're going to crush the communists, and that's what they are, they're communists... We will not be a socialist nation." A screen displayed photos of what Trump claimed were 3,500 North Carolina inmates freed during Cooper's tenure as governor in 2021, following a Covid-era settlement that reduced the state's prison population.

Trump accused Cooper of allowing "migrant criminals" to be set free on North Carolina streets under sanctuary city policies.

Trump also warned North Carolina voters about potential Democratic control, stating, "If they (Democrats) get in, this country will go into a massive depression." He attempted to link the affordability issue to Democrats' policies, blaming them for America's economic troubles. Trump claimed that the country had "taken care of the egg crisis" and vowed to offer Americans a $5,000 rebate if Republicans maintain control of Congress, though this proposal has not garnered support from congressional Republicans.