# Trump Makes Crime Central Message in Tight NC Senate Race

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/trump-makes-crime-central-message-in-tight-nc-senate-race
- Published: 2026-09-17T07:13:58.446357+00:00
- Topics: north-carolina, senate-race, crime-policy, midterm-elections, trump

## What the left says
- Rising costs at the gas pump, grocery store, and restaurants are the dominant concern for North Carolina voters, and Whatley risks bearing the political brunt of that economic frustration even though it predates his candidacy.
- Trump's crime messaging relies on graphic imagery and unnamed mugshots to provoke visceral reactions, echoing the racially charged 1988 Willie Horton ad tactics rather than substantive policy debate.
- Independent fact-checkers and state crime data complicate Trump's claim that North Carolina is 'one of the worst' states for crime, noting violent crime actually declined statewide in 2024.
- The attorney general appearing at a partisan campaign rally breaks from post-Watergate norms meant to keep law enforcement leadership separate from electoral politics.

## What the right says
- Roy Cooper's decision to release prisoners from jail during COVID, including violent offenders, is a legitimate and serious record for voters to scrutinize, especially given the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska by one of those released individuals.
- Trump's focus on crime reflects genuine public safety concerns, and voters deserve to know a candidate's record on protecting communities from violent offenders.
- Whatley is closely aligning himself with Trump's agenda and the administration's record, betting that energizing the MAGA base can overcome polling deficits in a state Trump has carried three times.
- North Carolina remains a state that hasn't elected a Democratic senator since 2008, and Republicans see this as a winnable seat if turnout and messaging align.

## Common ground
- Trump has now visited North Carolina three times since December specifically to campaign for Whatley, underscoring how high the stakes are for this race.
- Recent polling, including the Elon University poll showing Cooper ahead by 11 points, indicates Whatley is currently trailing in the contest.
- The outcome of this Senate race could help determine which party controls the chamber, since Democrats need to net four seats for a majority.
- Decarlos Brown Jr.'s murder of Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail car after being released from custody is a real, undisputed tragedy central to the campaign debate.

## Sources
- [ABC News](https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-stumps-senate-candidate-north-carolina-republicans-fear/story?id=136495520) (Lean Left)
- [Breitbart](https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/09/16/watch-donald-trump-holds-rally-in-north-carolina/) (Unknown)
- [Just The News](https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/watch-live-president-trump-speak-rally-gastonia-nc?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators) (Right)
- [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-bashes-democrats-crime-michael-whatley-senate-north-carolina-rcna598110) (Lean Left)
- [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/politics/Trump-Michael-Whatley-Senate-campaign-rally-midterms/2026/09/16/id/1269697) (Right)
- [Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/trump-says-north-carolina-one-of-the-worst-on-crime-what-data-shows-12453308) (Lean Right)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/6094443-trump-whatley-rally-gop-battleground-credit/) (Center)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/video-clips/6093648-watch-live-donald-trump-michael-whatley-north-carolina-senate-race-rally/) (Center)
- [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/16/trump-opens-midterm-push-north-carolina-emphasizing-crime/) (Lean Left)
- [Washington Times](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/16/trump-rallies-michael-whatley-north-carolina-tough-crime-5000-pledge/) (Right)
- [Washington Times](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/16/donald-trumps-handpicked-senate-nominee-michael-whatley-embraces/) (Right)

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