President Donald Trump made an appearance in North Carolina Tuesday evening to rally support for Michael Whatley, the state’s Republican Senate nominee, despite a significant reduction in national Republican financial backing for his campaign. Whatley, who previously chaired the Republican National Committee during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and led the North Carolina Republican Party, is currently trailing Democratic former governor Roy Cooper in polling.
Earlier this month, the Senate Republicans’ leading super PAC withdrew tens of millions of dollars in advertising support for Whatley, signaling a pullback from the high-profile race. In response, a nonprofit linked to Trump has contributed just over $2 million in recent spending, a fraction of the previously anticipated expenditure by national GOP groups. Whatley said Tuesday that his campaign has recently renewed television ad purchases after a short hiatus, along with intensified ground efforts and numerous news conferences aimed at increasing Republican turnout.
Trump has consistently endorsed Whatley, who has publicly aligned himself closely with the former president and has embraced Trump’s policies, contrasting with outgoing Senator Thom Tillis, who has been critical of Trump on several issues. At the rally in Greenville, a few hundred supporters gathered as Trump reiterated his commitment to the race, with plans for additional visits to the state in the coming weeks.
“We are doing everything possible to get his voters out in North Carolina,” Whatley said at the event, highlighting Trump’s track record of winning the state in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Whatley also dismissed current polls indicating he is behind Cooper, noting past Republican comebacks in the state. However, early voting data has shown Democratic turnout currently outpacing Republican turnout, raising concerns for GOP prospects in the tightly contested race.
Despite the funding shortfall, GOP strategists remain hopeful. Former Senator Ted Budd, who won his 2022 race after trailing in polls, cited historic Republican comebacks in the state. He noted that Whatley is back on television and expected a strong finish. Paul Shumaker, a veteran Republican strategist who advises Tillis, emphasized the need for a substantial increase in campaign spending aimed at turning out Republican voters as the key to closing the gap with Cooper.
Financially, the Senate race favors Cooper considerably. The Democrat has reported $12.4 million in cash on hand coming into October compared with Whatley’s $916,000. Cooper’s campaign has reserved $7.5 million worth of advertising through Election Day, while the Democratic-aligned super PAC has committed an additional $7 million. On the Republican side, remaining super PAC spending stands at approximately $2.5 million.
In addition to boosting Whatley, Trump’s rally also aimed to support Republican House candidate Laurie Buckhout in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, a seat Republicans hope to retain following a redistricting effort designed to favor GOP candidates. The race in that district remains competitive, with the incumbent Democrat and Buckhout running close in recent polls.
Trump dismissed polls showing Republican candidates behind as “rigged” and “fake” while expressing confidence that his rallies would help secure victories. His appearance in North Carolina comes amid broader questions about his national approval rating, which recent surveys have placed at historic lows, including 33 percent overall and 38 percent among likely voters. At the same time, Democrats have gained ground in public trust on economic issues for the first time in more than a decade.
At the rally, security personnel removed at least six protesters who attempted to disrupt the event, continuing a recent pattern of demonstrations during Trump’s campaign appearances.
North Carolina voters, particularly younger constituents like 21-year-old Taylor Cianci of Jacksonville, expressed mixed views on the race. While personally supporting Whatley, Cianci acknowledged challenges facing Republicans nationally, citing economic concerns and the ongoing war with Iran as factors shaping voter sentiment.
As the election approaches, Republican efforts in North Carolina will focus heavily on mobilizing their base, with campaign events and ad buys seen as critical to overcoming the financial disadvantage against a well-funded Democratic opponent.