Trump Urges Voters to 'Pretend I'm on the Ballot' at North Carolina Rally
The former president made a campaign stop in Greenville, North Carolina, as Republicans seek to gain momentum in the final stretch before the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump urged supporters in Greenville, North Carolina, on Tuesday night to "please pretend I'm on a ballot" as he campaigned for Republicans in the lead-up to the November midterm elections. This visit to North Carolina, his second in the past month, is part of a multi-state tour aimed at energizing the GOP base.
Trump emphasized his past successes in North Carolina, a state he carried in previous elections. "When I'm on the ballot, we do unbelievably," he told the crowd. "Please pretend I'm on a ballot. And in a way, I am on the ballot."
The rally occurred as Republicans aim to boost support for Michael Whatley, the former chair of the Republican National Committee and the GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina. Whatley is currently trailing his Democratic opponent, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
Recent polls indicate Cooper holds a double-digit advantage over Whatley. Cooper's campaign has also significantly out-raised Whatley's, a development that has led top Republican super PACs and fundraising groups to halt advertising spending in the state. A victory for Cooper would be a key win for Democrats seeking to regain control of the Senate, as it would be the first time a Democrat has won a U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina since 2008.
Trump, who has worked closely with Whatley on his 2024 reelection efforts, stated he plans to visit North Carolina a third time before Election Day to campaign for Republicans. He mentioned his extensive schedule, which includes approximately 18 rallies in the remaining two weeks before the election.
"We have like 15 days, and I’m doing about 18 rallies," Trump said. "That's work. But it’s not work in front of North Carolina."
Two protesters were removed from the rally shortly after Trump began speaking, though the specifics of their disruption were not immediately clear. Voter turnout in North Carolina is reportedly up 37 percent compared to the same point in the 2022 midterms.