Key Takeaways:
- President Trump is visiting Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to promote his economic policies and reassure Americans that the nation’s economy is improving.
- Recent polls show that Trump’s approval rating on the economy is at an all-time low, with only 36% of voters approving of his handling of the economy.
- Trump is visiting a swing state with a highly competitive U.S. Senate race and congressional district elections, where he has endorsed a candidate for the Senate race.
- The visit comes as the state’s filing period for the 2026 elections closes, with many candidates vying for positions in the U.S. House and Senate.
- The economy and inflation are major concerns for voters in North Carolina, with some blaming Trump’s policies for rising prices and others attributing it to broader economic trends.
Introduction to the Visit
President Trump is set to visit Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on Friday, as part of his efforts to promote his economic policies and reassure Americans that the nation’s economy is improving. This visit comes after a week in which his administration has attempted to shift the blame for the country’s economic woes to the policies of former Democratic President Joe Biden. In a primetime address on Wednesday, Trump stated that the current economic challenges are a result of Biden’s policies, and that he is working to ignite an economic turnaround. However, recent polls suggest that Trump’s message may not be resonating with voters, with only 36% of voters approving of his handling of the economy, according to a NPR/PBS News/Marist poll.
Voter Opinions on the Economy
In North Carolina, voters are divided on the issue of the economy and inflation. Some, like Ronnie Peede, an HVAC technician who voted for Trump in 2024, believe that the president’s policies are moving the country in the right direction. Peede thinks that Trump wants to get people back to work and reduce reliance on government help, and that the tariffs implemented by the administration have started to level off and even drop in some cases. On the other hand, Jonathan Sutton, a Democrat and barbershop owner, has seen higher prices on some of the clippers and blades he orders from Europe, which he attributes to Trump’s tariffs. However, Sutton does not necessarily blame the president for broader inflation, saying that prices have always gone up in his lifetime.
The 2026 Midterm Elections
Trump’s visit to Rocky Mount comes just hours after the state’s filing period for the 2026 elections closes, with highly competitive races expected in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. North Carolina will be home to one of the country’s most-anticipated U.S. Senate races next year, with Democratic and Republican voter registrations almost evenly split. Former two-term Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to secure the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate race, while Trump has endorsed Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman, in the GOP primary. The state’s 1st congressional district, which includes Rocky Mount, has been redrawn by state Republicans to give House GOP candidates an advantage, with 10 counties swapped between the 1st and 3rd districts to increase the proportion of voters with a history of casting their ballot for GOP candidates.
The Redrawn Congressional Districts
The redrawing of the congressional districts in North Carolina has been a contentious issue, with voting rights groups challenging the new maps in court. The groups argued that the new district would dilute the influence of Black voters, but a panel of three federal judges ruled that the maps were intended to take power away from Democratic voters. The U.S. Supreme Court has also ruled that it will not overturn maps on the basis of partisan gerrymandering. The 1st congressional district has been held by a Black Democrat since 1992, and U.S. Rep. Don Davis, a moderate Democrat, has won the seat twice in a row. However, with the new district maps, the seat is now seen as more competitive, with four Republicans filing to run in the primary.
Trump’s Endorsement and Its Impact
As of Thursday evening, Trump has not yet made an endorsement in the 1st congressional district primary, despite several GOP candidates touting their allegiance to the president. Peede, the HVAC technician, says that he would take Trump’s endorsement into consideration, but would also vet the candidates for himself. "I still like to look at the candidates to see what they stand for," he said. "So it’s not just because Trump said it. I mean, Trump’s not perfect." This sentiment reflects the nuanced views of many voters in North Carolina, who are weighing their options carefully as they head into the 2026 midterm elections. With the economy and inflation top of mind, voters will be watching closely to see how Trump’s policies and endorsements shape the outcome of these critical races.