Overview
- At a Gastonia rally on Wednesday, Sept. 17, President Trump said North Carolina had become "one of the most violent" states and blamed Democrat Roy Cooper for rising crime.
- Trump told the crowd he would not send additional FEMA funds if Republican Michael Whatley loses the midterm race, then added ‘‘No, I’m only kidding’’ and said the state would get the money.
- North Carolina corrections officials and FBI-based crime statistics publicly disputed his assertions about prison releases and the state's crime ranking, contradicting key parts of his speech.
- The comments drew sharp criticism from national figures and prompted awkward responses from some local Republicans, with coverage noting Hurricane Helene’s lingering damage and still-unmet federal aid needs.
- With absentee ballots already in circulation and polls showing a close contest, the episode raises political and legal questions about the use of federal relief as leverage and could affect voter perceptions in the final weeks of the campaign.