Politics & Government

Trump holding campaign rally in North Carolina this weekend. What to know

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit North Carolina this weekend, six days after his criminal trial began in New York City.

Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, is scheduled to hold a campaign rally Saturday at Aero Center Wilmington.

Doors open at 3 p.m., and Trump is set to give remarks at 7 p.m.

Trump last visited North Carolina in March with a stop in Greensboro, just days ahead of the state’s Super Tuesday primary.

He has visited Wilmington several times before, with the last visit Sept. 23, 2022, to campaign for Sen. Ted Budd, then a candidate. He visited Wilmington in September 2020.

His daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, is from Wilmington and was recently elected as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.

Michael Whatley, who served as North Carolina’s GOP chair, was elected the new RNC chair in March.

Jury selection began Monday in Trump’s hush-money trial. It’s the first time a former U.S. president has been criminally prosecuted. He is charged with falsifying business records in connection with money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels when he ran for president in 2016.

NC a swing state

President Joe Biden, a Democrat and Trump’s opponent for president, has started ramping up his visits to North Carolina along with Vice President Kamala Harris and their surrogates. Biden and Harris visited Raleigh March 26 to talk about health care and prescription drug prices.

While in Raleigh, they took part in a fundraiser at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Raleigh that raised more than $2.3 million, The News & Observer reported.

First Lady Jill Biden visited Greensboro and Greenville Monday.

North Carolina is considered a swing state in the upcoming presidential election. A Quinnipiac University poll released last week says the race would be too close to call if the election were held today. The poll shows Trump has support from 48% of the state’s voters while 46% support Biden.

Independents remain divided with 49% saying they would vote for Trump and 41% saying they would support Biden. With the addition of independent and Green Party candidates, the votes remain splintered with Trump leading Biden by 3%.

How to go to Trump rally in NC

Tickets to attend the rally can be obtained at donaldjtrump.com/events. There is a maximum of two tickets per mobile phone number.

Aero Center Wilmington is at 1830 Flightline Road, Wilmington.

BEHIND THE STORY

MORE

This is a breaking news story

In a breaking news situation, facts may be unclear and details may change as the story develops. Our reporters are working to get information as quickly and accurately as possible. This story may be updated as more information becomes available. Refresh this page for the most up-to-date report.

This story was originally published April 15, 2024 at 8:06 PM.

Jessica Banov
The News & Observer
Jessica Banov is a news editor and audience growth specialist at The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun. She was part of the team from The N&O and The Charlotte Observer that was named a 2025 Pulitzer Prize finalist for Breaking News for coverage of Hurricane Helene. She also serves as The N&O’s intern program coordinator. 
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER