Trump tries to steady his footing in North Carolina
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Former President Trump greets his granddaughter Carolina onstage at his rally Saturday in Wilmington, N.C. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
WILMINGTON, N.C. — Former President Trump leaned into attacking Democrats on immigration here Saturday — and avoided mentioning the man who's complicating Trump's efforts in this swing state: North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson.
Why it matters: Trump's rally here came two days after an explosive CNN report about Robinson calling himself a "black Nazi" on a porn message board raised concerns that Robinson — the Republican running for governor — could be a drag on Trump in this must-win state.
- The report led Trump's campaign to scramble to distance itself from Robinson, whom Trump had previously endorsed and praised as "Martin Luther King on steroids."
Driving the news: On Saturday, Trump praised a roll call of North Carolina GOP officials, except the absent Robinson. Trump then pivoted to border security and illegal immigration, the issues that have dominated his campaign.
- "I am your border president and Kamala (Harris) would be the intrusion president," Trump told a crowd assembled in a hangar at the Aero Center, referring to his claims of weak border security during the Biden-Harris administration.
- Trump also claimed he would announce a plan to end all sanctuary cities for undocumented immigrants.
- And as is frequently the case during Trump's rallies, he made false claims. In Wilmington he claimed that every job created in the United States over the past two years has gone to illegal immigrants.
Between the lines: Trump also made a point of focusing on his family's connections to North Carolina, noting that his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, grew up in the state.
- The former president took the unusual step of having two of his grandchildren appear on stage.
- "One of them is named Carolina!" Trump said as Luke, 7, and Carolina, 5, joined him. Luke and Carolina are the children of Lara and Eric Trump.
The big picture: To try to counter Harris' recent momentum in North Carolina — and concerns about Robinson hurting Trump — the ex-president is increasing his travel to the state.
- That also goes for Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. He's planning two appearances in North Carolina this week.
- Trump's campaign and MAGA Inc., a supporting super PAC, have spent nearly $40 million on advertising in the state. Harris and supporting Democratic PACs have spent a whopping $57 million, per AdImpact.
- Meanwhile, down-ballot Republicans in North Carolina are encouraging voters to make sure they complete the entire ballot and not just vote for Trump — particularly after the revelations about Robinson.
Zoom out: Hours before Saturday's rally, campaign finance reports revealed that Harris' campaign had dramatically outraised Trump's in August — setting off alarms among Republicans about voters' enthusiasm for Trump.
- Trump — who said Saturday he wasn't inclined to agree to a second debate against Harris that's been proposed by CNN — has been putting enormous pressure on those running his re-election effort, particularly when it comes to North Carolina.
- At the rally, Trump put Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley on the spot.
- "Michael, you'd better win or you will never be able to come back here," Trump told Whatley, a former North Carolina GOP chair.
- "He doesn't win, he won't be at RNC and he will no longer be in North Carolina," Trump told the crowd.
- "He will be looking for a job."
