Donald Trump to visit North Carolina in his first rally since Biden’s exit from race

Former President Donald Trump -- seen her with Sen. J.D. Vance -- will rally supporters in Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday. It is his first rally since President Joe Biden announced he was dropping his bid for re-election. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally Wednesday evening in Charlotte, his first major event on the trail since President Joe Biden announced he was dropping his bid for re-election.

Trump, who was previously preparing for a rematch of the 2020 race that he lost, is now almost certain to face Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

His remarks in North Carolina will offer a preview of how he will campaign against the new presumptive Democratic nominee in the months ahead.

The former president’s running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, has held two rallies in recent days in which he called Harris “a million times worse” than Biden. Trump has echoed that sentiment on his social media website.

“Joe Biden will go down as the Worst President in the history of the United States,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday afternoon. “KAMALA, OUR HORRIBLE & INCOMPETENT BORDER CZAR, WILL BE WORSE!”

Trump, allies take aim at Harris’ record on immigration

Immigration policy and the U.S. southern border, long a hallmark of Trump’s agenda, have emerged as an early line of attack for Republicans against Harris.

Trump’s campaign, in a digital ad Tuesday morning, branded her “dangerously liberal.” It highlights her prior comments on law enforcement and immigration, among other issues.

The Wednesday rally will be Trump’s first visit to North Carolina since late May. He appeared at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race in Concord and met with Gold Star families.

Harris, with Biden’s backing, quickly rallies support

Harris, who has now earned enough support from delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, has spoken at events in Fayetteville and Greensboro this month.

She quickly consolidated support among Democrats nationally, including Biden, members of Congress and North Carolina’s top state officials, including Gov. Roy Cooper. And her campaign raised $81 million over 24 hours.

Early messaging from her campaign and the vice president have indicated a strong focus on Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation-authored agenda with ties to Trump administration officials.

And Harris, a former prosecutor and attorney general in California, has leaned into her background as she addresses her opponent.

“I know Donald Trump’s type,” she said in remarks to staff in Delaware on Monday.

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