Former President Donald Trump returned to North Carolina over the weekend, campaigning in Wilmington and making direct appeals to women, claiming he would be a better champion for them than Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s appearance in the southern battleground state was without Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, following reports of alleged posts made by Robinson on a pornography website’s message board. Trump did not mention Robinson in his speech, which lasted just over an hour. Robinson has denied writing the posts, which included lewd and racist comments, and Trump’s campaign has appeared to distance itself from him.
Democrats have seized on the opportunity to highlight Trump’s ties to Robinson, with billboards showing the two together and a new ad from Harris’ campaign highlighting their connection as well as Robinson’s support for a statewide abortion ban without exceptions. Abortion rights and Robinson are electoral liabilities for Trump in a state he previously won twice. Polls show Trump and Harris locked in a close race in North Carolina and nationally. Trump downplayed abortion as a campaign issue, arguing that women would be safer and more prosperous with him as president and would no longer have to think about abortion.
During his rally, Trump invited two of his young grandchildren on stage, emphasizing family values and support. The former president focused on his commitment to protecting women and leaving decisions about regulating abortion to the states. However, Harris and Democrats have highlighted stories of women facing medical complications due to restricted access to abortion. Trump supporters dismiss the new claims against Robinson and rally around the former president’s promises to prioritize women’s issues.
North Carolina has been a key state for both Trump and Harris in their campaign efforts. With Trump narrowly winning the state in 2020, Democrats see North Carolina as a potential victory this fall. The gubernatorial contest has been a prominent down-ballot race, with Robinson becoming a top surrogate for Trump in the state. Despite controversial comments in the past, Robinson has garnered praise from Trump, who referred to him as “Martin Luther King on steroids.” Supporters of Trump dismiss the allegations against Robinson as fake news, emphasizing their support for the former president and his dedication to changing the country.
While presidential contenders have focused on Rust Belt battleground states, both Harris and Trump have made multiple trips to North Carolina, reflecting the state’s significance in the upcoming election. Wilmington, where Trump held his rally, is home to New Hanover County, which Biden narrowly won in 2020. Residents like Julia Novotny have expressed support for Trump despite initial reservations, citing his values and commitment to improving the country. The race in North Carolina remains competitive, with both campaigns targeting key issues like abortion and women’s rights.
