- Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley are involved in an election contest, while criticism regarding Duke Energy's residential rate hikes also emerged.
- A convention was held in Dallas on September 9, 2026, involving Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper to contest the North Carolina Senate race.
- Michael Whatley is running against former Gov. Roy Cooper for the vacant U.S. Senate seat of Thom Tillis, with President Trump scheduled to visit Gaston County.
Donald Trump rallies support for Michael Whatley in North Carolina Senate race
- Reports
- 9
- Developments
- 6
- Repetition
- 67%
New informationRepeats or wire copies
What happened
Donald Trump rallied supporters in Gastonia, North Carolina, to back Michael Whatley for the U.S. Senate seat against Roy Cooper. During the event, Trump and Michael Whatley criticized Roy Cooper's leadership, with Michael Whatley stating that Cooper was the worst governor in North Carolina's history. Both men referenced the death of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, linking the incident to Cooper’s administration.
From wxii12.com, whqr.org
Why it matters
The event highlights the intense political competition between Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper during the Senate race. The campaign rhetoric centered on public safety and crime, with Donald Trump criticizing Cooper's handling of crises and arguing that Democratic leadership has made communities less safe.
Michael Whatley is running against former Governor Roy Cooper for the vacant U.S. Senate seat. A convention involving Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper was held in Dallas on September 9, 2026.
Who's involved
- Donald TrumpAmerican businessman and politician who rallied to support Michael Whatley
- Michael WhatleyRepublican U.S. Senate candidate supported by Donald Trump
- Roy CooperFormer North Carolina governor and Michael Whatley's electoral opponent
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Michael WhatleySpeculative
Michael Whatley might see increased funding and political support for his Senate campaign due to the high-profile endorsement from Donald Trump.
- Roy CooperSpeculative
Roy Cooper might face pressure on public demand and voter support due to direct political attacks regarding his handling of crime and crises.
- North CarolinaSpeculative
North Carolina might see shifts in local business demand or costs depending on the outcome of the Senate race and resulting policy changes.
How it developed
Newest first. Tap a step to see who reported it.- JD Vance campaigned in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he rallied to support Michael Whatley's Senate campaign, with Donald Trump also involved.Sub-event
- Michael Whatley is campaigning for the NC Senate seat, advocating for US manufacturing and a strong stance against mainland China, with support from Donald Trump.Sub-event
- Trump held a rally in Dallas during midterms, while Whatley trailed Cooper in the Senate race, and Trump criticized Cooper over state crime rates.Sub-event
Trump criticized Cooper's storm handling while rallying support for Whatley.1 source
Trump rallied in NC to back Whatley in the Senate race against Cooper.1 source
Updates include an Elon poll on Cooper, Trump criticizing Cooper's handling of Helene, and the Democratic party's criticism of Whatley.1 source
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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Michael Whatley
Chair of the Republican National Committee since 2024
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Donald Trump
American businessman and politician (born 1946), President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)
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Roy Cooper
American attorney and politician (born 1957)