(This story has been updated to add new information and photos.)
After bad weather prevented him from traveling in April, Donald Trump is expected to return to Wilmington on Saturday afternoon.
The former president and Republican presidential candidate is expected to speak during a campaign rally at the Aero Center near Wilmington International Airport around 2 p.m. Trump is running against Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Below is live coverage from Saturday. Check back later for updates.
Bryan Fields was making his way to the Aero Center entrance at 8:30 a.m. He had arrived at the venue about an hour earlier. For Fields, gun safety is the most important issue in this year’s presidential election. Last year, Fields said he tragically lost his son to gun violence and pointed to a chain around his neck engraved with his son’s image. He said Trump “seems different this time,” adding that he believes the Republican presidential candidate wants to “go down in history as a helper.”
Sherri Gossett arrived at the Aero Center around the same time and was happy to see Trump in person. In this year’s election, Gossett said the border and inflation are the most important issues for her. Gossett sees Trump as “the one thing that will ultimately save this country,” adding that voters saw Trump “in action” for four years during his last term. She described the atmosphere of today’s rally as excited and loyal.
On Saturday morning, the parking lots in front of the Wilmington Aero Center filled up at 8 a.m.
A vendor who accompanies Trump’s camp team to sell merchandise outside his rallies said he came Friday night to set up his tent and arrived at 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning to begin selling to customers.
The Associated Press reported Friday that Mark Robinson, North Carolina’s lieutenant governor and the Republican candidate for governor, has frequently appeared at events in North Carolina celebrating former President Donald Trump’s third run for the White House, but will not be at Trump’s campaign rally in Wilmington on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Fayetteville Observer reports that Robinson will appear at a meet and greet in Fayetteville on Saturday night. The event followed a CNN report this week alleging that he made comments on an adult website called “Nude Africa” in which he said he enjoyed transgender pornography and referred to himself as a “pervert” and a “black NAZI.”
More: After allegations regarding adult websites, Mark Robinson hosts a meet and greet in Fayetteville
CNN’s report included screenshots of the username on the site, as well as phrases and biographical information Robinson has used. Robinson denied the allegations in videos he posted to his social media pages on Thursday, calling the report “offensive tabloid garbage” and claiming his opponent was behind the leaked report.
On Saturday morning, around 6:15 a.m., 100 people were already queuing to set up the stands at the event.
The rally will be held on the grounds of Wilmington International Airport at the Aero Center, 1830 Flightline Road, Wilmington. Doors open at 10 a.m.
Thousands flocked to the Aero Center in April 2024 to attend Trump’s rally, which was eventually postponed due to severe weather. Visitors also flocked to the same venue in 2022 to attend the “Save America” rally, where Trump spoke. And in 2020, Trump was on the Battleship North Carolina to declare Wilmington the first World War II World Heritage City.
This visit comes less than a week after he faced a second assassination attempt in West Palm Beach, Florida. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has said it is working with federal authorities to provide security for the rally.
Earlier this week, Trump’s running mate JD Vance visited Raleigh. Much of his speech focused on the economy, immigrants and his criticism of Kamala Harris.
