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

In a recent campaign stop in North Carolina, US President Donald Trump, aiming to support a trailing Republican Senate candidate, criticized Democrats for allegedly promoting crime and communism. This rhetoric is anticipated to be a recurring theme in Trump's forthcoming appearances across the country to bolster his party's prospects ahead of the November midterm elections.

Trump's first major campaign event since the Republican Party's convention focused on portraying Democrats as extreme and out of touch on cultural issues, while promoting his hard-line stance on immigration. The candidate stated that Democrats would turn the nation into a "communist" state, despite acknowledging that the party has embraced a few democratic socialists.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that Trump's approval rating in North Carolina stands at 35%, a significant improvement from 33% in the preceding poll. Democrats currently lead Republicans 44% to 37% on the generic congressional ballot, the largest Democratic advantage in the Reuters/Ipsos series since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.

Unaffiliated voters, constituting around 40% of North Carolina's registered electorate, are expected to play a crucial role in the Senate race. Recent polls show Cooper leading Whatley 49% to 38% among likely voters, with a majority of North Carolina voters disapproving of Trump's job performance. Trump, however, remains a powerful force within the Republican base.