Donald Trump campaigns in North Carolina, facing competition and challenges from Hurricane Helene. Support for both candidates is tightening ahead of the election.
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Donald Trump visited North Carolina on Friday. This is his fourth trip there in just one month. He is trying to win back support in a state that is becoming very competitive. A few months ago, Trump was ahead, but now it’s close.
Trump held a rally in Fayetteville. This city has a large military community. His visit comes as North Carolina deals with serious floods from Hurricane Helene. The hurricane caused heavy rain and damage in the western mountains of the state. Many people lost their lives due to these floods.
At the rally, thousands of supporters cheered as Trump promised to change the name of a military base back to Fort Bragg.
The base was renamed Fort Liberty last year, which some people did not like. The new name honored a Confederate general from the Civil War. Trump believes changing it back will honor the military.
Trump also commented on President Joe Biden's recent advice to avoid attacking Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump disagreed and said, “Isn't that what you're supposed to hit? When they asked him that question, the answer should have been hit the nuclear first and worry about the rest later.”
Close Race in North Carolina
Even though Trump won North Carolina in both 2016 and 2020, some of his supporters are worried. They think the race is closer than they want it to be. Recent polls show Trump leading Vice President Kamala Harris by only half a percentage point in North Carolina. The race in Georgia and Arizona is also tight, with Trump leading by just over one percentage point in both states.
Some Trump supporters feel nervous about the hurricane. They worry that the storm could make it hard for people in the mountains to vote. “I’m freaking out about North Carolina,” said a Trump donor who did not want to be named.
Before heading to North Carolina, Trump visited a hurricane response center in Georgia with Governor Brian Kemp. Trump had criticized Kemp in the past for not supporting his claims about election fraud in 2020. However, the two have worked things out and are now on better terms.
Trump Hits the Campaign Trail
Despite his worries, Trump is campaigning hard. He has held four events in North Carolina recently. This is more than in any other state except Wisconsin and Michigan. He is trying to reach as many voters as possible.
North Carolina's Republican Party is confident about Trump’s chances. Matt Mercer, a communications director for the party, said, “North Carolina is close and has been for several cycles. However, President Trump has won the state twice, and we are confident we will deliver a third time.”
Kamala Harris is also making frequent visits to North Carolina. She is expected to be there again on Saturday. Her campaign says she is gaining momentum and that voters are responding to her message.
Concerns About Gubernatorial Candidate
One challenge for Trump is the state’s Republican gubernatorial candidate, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson. Recently, Robinson faced backlash over controversial comments he made in the past. He referred to himself in a derogatory way and made offensive statements online. While Robinson denied making those comments, analysts say they could hurt Republican turnout in the election.
Doug Heye, a Republican strategist from North Carolina, said, “It hasn’t necessarily changed voters' minds, but you want everyone rowing in the same direction.” He added that Robinson’s issues could affect the campaign's overall success.
As the election date approaches, many Trump supporters are worried about the impact of Hurricane Helene. The most affected areas are often strongholds for Trump.
