Donald Trump came to North Carolina to rally the GOP and instead chose to trash the state. He called it “one of the worst in the whole nation.” He threatened to withhold Helene relief to struggling western North Carolina. He lied about coming to the state in the aftermath of the storm. And a room full of Republicans cheered wildly.
Why do they hate North Carolina? Or more broadly, why do they always need to hate something?
Michael Whatley, for his part, posted a tweet that called North Carolina a “killing field for career criminals.” He was just trying to impress Trump, but it sure is insulting to the people whose votes he needs. Maybe they are trying to lose the election.
No prominent Republicans are calling Trump out. They are so beholden to him that they will throw the whole state under the bus to stay in his good graces—or to avoid the wrath of MAGA. They’ve created a monster that is consuming them.
If the state is really such a hellhole, the GOP gets the blame. They’ve controlled the legislature for the past 15 years and have asserted the superiority of the legislative branch, backed up by a Republican-controlled Supreme Court. They’ve weakened the executive branch, stripping powers from the governor and taking control of boards and committees throughout state government.
The Republicans in the legislature are the ones passing laws and addressing problems. If it’s the worst state, as Trump claims, it’s their fault. As Trump put it, “Nobody used to think of North Carolina as a dangerous state. It was like, North Carolina, it was beautiful, it was apple pie.” Then we elected Republicans, right?
Trump also threatened to withhold disaster relief funds for western North Carolina if the state doesn’t elect Whatley. That ought to go over well with the people and businesses who got clobbered by Helene. Now federal help comes with a partisan price tag. Trump may have given Jamie Ager the assist he needs to become the next member of Congress from the 11th District.
The rally really exposed Trump, MAGA, and the Republican Party. The first two are mean-spirited bullies, kicking people when they are down and trying to intimidate them into compliance. The Republican Party is made up of a bunch of cowards who won’t even stand up for the people they are supposed to represent. As I’ve said before, it’s the pathetic party.
Trump and Whatley just created raw footage and social media posts for a pretty compelling ad for the Cooper campaign, ie, "These guys think you're the worst state in the nation. I think you're the best and we can make NC better for everyone."
People who don't think the GOP has turned into a kind of religious apocalyptic cult, need to look at Trump and Whatley's campaign appearance as a reality check.
I read that those in the audience groaned when Trump said he'd take finding away ftom Western NC if Whatley lost. Good job Trump. Way to go campaigning for Roy Cooper. As you said, Thomas, it was a gimme for Jamie Ager too.