With Election Day less than 24 hours away, the Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns made last-ditch campaign efforts early this week to win over North Carolina.
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris campaigned in Charlotte Saturday, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also making a stop in the city. The same day, Trump held rallies in Gastonia and Greensboro and spoke again Monday morning in Raleigh. First Lady Jill Biden also campaigned for Harris in Winston-Salem, Carrboro and Chapel Hill Monday.
Trump campaign
In his first stop in the state Saturday morning, Trump spoke to his supporters in Gastonia on the assassination attempts against him.
He described the presidency as a “dangerous profession,” but added that knowing of the danger “wouldn’t have changed [his] mind” to run for the position since he plans to make the country “greater than it [has] ever been before.”
Trump then spoke about a recent jobs report, which detailed the U.S. economy adding 12,000 jobs in October.
“It’s the worst numbers I’ve ever seen,” he said. “I’ll fix that.”
Trump also discussed his views on immigration, argued that his plans will “protect” women from crime and criticized the federal response to Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
That evening, Trump held a rally at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, where he criticized Harris’ handling of the southern border and again challenged the response to Hurricane Helene by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“Nov. 5 will be the most important day in the history of our country,” Trump said, promising to make the U.S. powerful, healthy and safe.
Trump kicked off his final day of campaigning Monday at Raleigh’s J.S. Dorton Arena — the same place where he held his final campaign stop during his 2016 bid.
The two-time-presidential-hopeful urged his supporters out to the polls, as he seeks to win the battleground state for the third time.
Trump told the crowd he needed a landslide victory in order to show that the election was “too big to rig.”
He further spoke on topics including immigration, Hurricane Helene and the Israel-Hamas war.
Trump specifically noted that Nov. 5 “will be liberation day in America,” and that if he takes office, he would invoke the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. These acts enhanced restrictions on foreign-born Americans and limited speech critical of the U.S. government.
He also claimed that the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks would not have happened if he were president.
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance made a stop in Selma on Friday and campaigned in Sanford on Sunday, holding an event at an airport hangar which featured remarks by Donald Trump Jr.
“Which candidate in this race is going to make your life better?” Vance asked. “Which candidate is going to take this money out of your pocket, and which candidate is going to put it back in?”
Harris campaign
Harris held a rally and concert at Charlotte’s PNC Music Pavilion Saturday evening, featuring musical guests including Brittney Spencer, Bon Jovi and Khalid, as well as actress Kerry Washington.
The event began with remarks from Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Rep. Alma Adams, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Stein and Gov. Roy Cooper.
Stein pledged that if elected, he would veto “any further restrictions on women’s reproductive freedoms.”
Cooper criticized Trump, echoing prior comments from Harris that Trump would enter office with an “enemies list” — arguing that Harris would instead prioritize taking action.
Harris began her remarks with criticism of Trump, describing him as “unstable” and “obsessed with revenge.”
At one point in her speech, pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted Harris before being removed by security.
“One of the reasons we are here is because we are fighting for a democracy and the right of people to speak their mind,” Harris said. ”But right now I am speaking.”
She later addressed her view of the Israel-Hamas war.
“We all want that war in the Middle East to end. We want the hostages home. And when I am president, I will do everything in my power to make it so,” Harris said.
Throughout her speech, Harris discussed her plan to lower the cost of child care, cut taxes for small businesses and expand access to healthcare.
Walz made a brief appearance at a barbecue restaurant in Gastonia where he met with supporters.
“On behalf of the country, win this thing for America,” he encouraged the crowd.
First Lady Jill Biden also made her way down to the battleground state Monday, stopping in Durham to speak at a canvass launch and visiting a Women for Harris phone bank launch in Carrboro.
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Michael Austin is a Trinity junior and managing editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.
Abby Spiller is a Trinity junior and editor-in-chief of The Chronicle's 120th volume.