President Trump rallies supporters in Winston-Salem

President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in Winston-Salem, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

WINSTON-SALEM – President Donald Trump held a campaign event Tuesday night at Smith Reynolds Airport in Winston-Salem, rousing supporters in the Triad just 56 days before the Nov. 3 election.

President Trump spoke for over an hour and ten minutes in what has been the president’s third visit to the state in the past three weeks, highlighting the importance North Carolina and its 15 electoral votes this year.

The choice of Smith Reynolds Airport showcased what has become the Trump re-election campaign’s new method of rallying supporters: holding outdoor events at airport hangars.

“Thank you very much, it’s a great honor to be back here in North Carolina and here in Winston-Salem, with hard-working American patriots,” said the president at the beginning of his remarks. “We’re going to win North Carolina and we’re going to win four more years.”

President Trump highlighted what have become top issues of the presidential campaign: what he calls Joe Biden’s weaknesses on China and the protests that have wreaked havoc in multiple cities.

Trump said that Biden’s agenda is made in China, but his agenda is made in America. Trump said in 47 years, Biden promoted trade policies that shipped jobs out of North Carolina and “shook hands with blue-collar workers and turned around and stabbed them in the back.”

“On November 3rd, America faces a very simple choice. Vote for the candidate backed by Left-Wing rioters or vote for the candidate backed by Law Enforcement,” Trump said to cheers from the crowd.

“Over the past three and a half years we have fixed broken trade deals, obliterated the ISIS caliphate, and we’re bringing our soldiers home. Secured American energy independence, and built the greatest economy in the world – and we’re going to do it again,” President Trump said.

While not a full arena as has been Trump’s staple since 2015, the event was attended by over 1,000 individuals as political activity is protected under the First Amendment and therefore not subject to state executive orders.

“From record job growth, to over $12 billion in job-saving Paycheck Protection Program funds, to delivering over a million ventilators and other units of PPE, President Trump has kept his promises to North Carolinians. Come November, voters in North Carolina will support President Trump and his clear record of results for the Tar Heel State,” said Trump Victory spokesperson Gates McCavick.