Trump
Michael Whatley, North Carolina senatorial candidate, right, and President Donald Trump speak during a campaign rally at the Gastonia Municipal Airport, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Gastonia, N.C.
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President Donald Trump is using a controversial campaign ad from 1988 to criticize Democrats on crime. During a Wednesday rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, Trump referred to the Willie Horton ad, which targeted then-Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis. Trump compared it to a recent case involving a Black man accused of murder in North Carolina. He claims Democrats, like Senate candidate Roy Cooper, are soft on crime. Trump argues North Carolina has become more dangerous under Democratic leadership. Critics say Trump is using racial division to rally his base and distract from issues like inflation.
