Listen to the article
Trump Rallies in North Carolina to Bolster GOP Senate Hopes
President Donald Trump is heading to battleground North Carolina on Friday to support Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chair and frontrunner for the GOP Senate nomination in the 2026 race to succeed retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis.
The evening event will focus on affordability issues, a key concern for voters as persistent inflation continues to impact household budgets across the country. The visit highlights the importance Republicans place on retaining this Senate seat in a state that Trump has won in multiple elections.
“President Trump won North Carolina all three times. 2016, 2020, and 2024… because he connects directly with the people of North Carolina, talking about the issues that they care about. So it is very important to have him on the ground,” Whatley emphasized in a recent Fox News Digital interview.
North Carolina represents one of the most critical Senate battlegrounds in 2026 as Republicans work to maintain their 53-47 majority in the upper chamber. Whatley is expected to face former two-term Democratic Governor Roy Cooper in what analysts predict will be among the most expensive and closely watched Senate races nationwide.
The contest carries significant strategic importance for both parties. For Republicans, holding this seat is crucial to maintaining their Senate majority. For Democrats, flipping it would represent a major step toward potentially reclaiming control of the chamber.
Whatley, who served as state GOP chair before Trump handpicked him to lead the RNC in 2024, has been positioning himself as a steadfast ally of the president. This alignment is strategic, as Republicans aim to frame the 2026 midterms as a referendum on Trump and his agenda.
“We’re certainly going to need him to be on the ballot,” Whatley stated. “When you think about what happens if we lose the House, if we lose the Senate, if the Democrats take over, and they go right back to investigations and hoaxes and impeachments, that is really, truly the president and his legacy are going to be on the ballot.”
Economic issues, particularly inflation and affordability, remain central to the political discourse. Democrats have successfully leveraged these concerns in recent special elections and the 2025 off-year elections, while Trump’s approval ratings on economic matters have declined despite his administration’s efforts.
Whatley defended the president’s economic approach, stating, “He is fighting right now to bring down gasoline prices… We’re fighting every day against the Fed, trying to get them to lower interest rates and make housing more affordable.” He added that there are encouraging signs the economy is responding positively to Trump’s policies.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin offered a sharply different assessment, claiming in a statement that “Donald Trump has lost the economy, is losing his mind, and is going to lose the midterms.”
One challenge for Republicans in 2026 will be maintaining voter turnout without Trump himself on the ballot. Low-propensity MAGA voters and other Trump supporters don’t always participate in non-presidential elections, a concern that has prompted Whatley to emphasize the importance of frequent presidential visits to the state.
“He is fantastically popular in North Carolina,” Whatley said of Trump. “He has a real affinity for the state. The voters…love him, and it’ll be very, very good to get him back in North Carolina.”
Whatley has been actively campaigning across the state, emphasizing his intention to visit all 100 counties and reach every community. He has taken a combative stance toward his likely opponent, claiming “Roy Cooper is on the wrong side of every 80-20 issue.”
Cooper’s campaign has countered this narrative, stating that the former governor “has spent his career fighting for North Carolina families by lowering health care costs and keeping their communities safe while Michael Whatley spent decades at the beck and call of DC politicians delivering for billionaires and special interests at the expense of the middle class.”
As both parties gear up for what will undoubtedly be a fiercely contested Senate race, Trump’s involvement signals the high stakes and national importance of North Carolina in determining the balance of power in Washington after the 2026 midterms.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
8 Comments
North Carolina has been a reliably red state in recent presidential elections, so it’s not surprising that the GOP is pulling out all the stops to defend this Senate seat. Curious to see how the Democratic challenger, former Governor Cooper, positions himself on the economy and other key issues.
Good point. Cooper will need to find a way to connect with voters beyond just his past experience as governor. Inflation and affordability concerns will likely be a key focus for both candidates.
Curious to see how the candidates address issues like domestic mineral production, permitting for new mining projects, and support for the fossil fuel industry. These will be key concerns for many voters in North Carolina.
This race is an important test for Trump’s continued influence within the Republican party. If Whatley can win with Trump’s backing, it could be a boost for the former president’s 2024 ambitions. But Cooper has name recognition and governing experience, so it won’t be an easy win for the GOP.
As someone interested in mining and commodities, I’ll be watching this race closely. The outcome could have implications for policies and regulations impacting the energy and resources sector. Hopefully the candidates provide some clarity on their positions.
Interesting to see Trump backing Whatley in this crucial North Carolina Senate race. With inflation still a top concern, it makes sense for the GOP to rally around a candidate who can connect directly with voters on economic issues.
Agreed. Retaining this Senate seat will be critical for Republicans as they work to maintain their slim majority. The North Carolina race is sure to be a closely watched battleground.
Trump’s involvement adds an extra layer of intrigue to this Senate race. As someone who follows the mining and energy sectors closely, I’ll be listening closely to see if the candidates share any insights or policy proposals relevant to those industries.