Donald Trump has urged North Carolina voters to back Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, warning that they would “get nothing” if Republicans lose control of Congress in the November 3 mid-term elections.
Speaking at a rally in Greenville on Tuesday night, the president predicted that Mr Whatley would defy poor polling and deliver “some amazing results”. Hundreds of supporters gathered on the grounds of the local airport for the event.
“They never poll us right,” Mr Trump said, as he sought to rally support for Mr Whatley, a former senior Republican Party official.
Polls show former Democratic governor Roy Cooper with a commanding lead in the contest, which will decide the successor to retiring Republican senator Thom Tillis. The race could help determine the balance of power in Washington.
Mr Tillis, once an ally of Mr Trump, has split with the president over his landmark tax bill and defence policy. He told Politico that Republicans were heading towards “a train wreck” and “a whoop ass” in November.
Mr Trump has travelled around 50,000 kilometres since late September as part of a campaign blitz to support Republican candidates. His appearance in North Carolina was his second visit to the state in as many months, underlining the importance of the contest.
The president has won North Carolina in each of his three presidential campaigns, but Democrats are hoping for a breakthrough as voters express dissatisfaction with rising prices and the war in Iran.
Mr Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 31 per cent since he ordered military strikes on Iran in February alongside Israel, prompting a rise in petrol and diesel prices. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 68 per cent of Americans disapprove of his handling of the economy, including 37 per cent of Republicans.
Towards the end of his speech, Mr Trump repeated his promise to give every US adult 5,000 dollars if Republicans retain control of Congress. “If we lose,” he said, “you get nothing.”
