Trump hopes North Carolina speech will bolster standing on US economy

US President Donald Trump traveled to the “battleground” state of North Carolina on Friday, seeking to persuade voters that his handling of the economy is on track ahead of a midterm election year that could prove challenging for him and his fellow Republicans.

With prices still rising and unemployment ticking up, Trump faces a tough task. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday showed that only 33% of US adults approve of how he has managed the economy.

Trump is expected to argue that the US economy is poised for a surge due to his policies, while blaming current economic difficulties on Democrats. He has repeatedly claimed credit for lowering gasoline prices, imposing tariffs that he says are generating billions of dollars for the US Treasury, and attracting hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign investment pledges.

Republicans, however, worry that economic headwinds could hurt their prospects in elections next November, which will determine control of the House of Representatives and the Senate for the final two years of Trump’s term.

The president is scheduled to speak at a 9 p.m. rally (0200 GMT Saturday) at the convention center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The city is represented in the House by Democrat Don Davis, who is expected to face a difficult re-election battle in 2026 following a redrawing of congressional district boundaries.

North Carolina is considered a battleground state because its statewide elections are closely contested between Democrats and Republicans. Trump, however, won the state in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

The North Carolina stop comes en route to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where he plans to spend the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Trump has repeatedly said that any economic pain Americans are experiencing should be blamed on policies he inherited from his predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden.

“Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I’m fixing it,” Trump said in a grievance-filled speech delivered at a rapid pace on Wednesday night. Democrats counter that Trump has mishandled the economy — the central issue of his successful campaign last year.

Trump received some early holiday cheer on Thursday from the November Consumer Price Index report. Housing costs rose by the smallest margin in four years, while food prices increased at their slowest pace since February. Egg prices — a frequent talking point for Trump — fell for a second consecutive month, marking their steepest drop in 20 months. The report, however, showed sharp increases in other costs, including beef and electricity.

Overall, prices rose 2.7% year-on-year. Asked about his message for North Carolina, Trump said it would mirror his recent remarks, including a prime-time address on Wednesday and a visit to Pennsylvania last week.

“We’ve had tremendous success. We inherited a mess, and part of what we inherited was the worst inflation in 48 years,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. “And now we’re bringing those prices down. I’ll be talking about that.”