Trump cancels rally in North Carolina due to storm

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump abruptly canceled a campaign rally in North Carolina on Saturday due to a gathering storm. He told the crowd he was “devastated” and vowed to return to battlefield status soon.

Trump called the outdoor meeting from his private jet about 30 minutes before he was scheduled to appear at a Wilmington airport and ordered everyone to leave immediately due to security concerns when lightning flashed overhead.

“I’m devastated that this could happen, but we want to keep everyone safe,” Trump said, his voice amplified by loudspeakers for thousands of supporters, many of whom had been lining up since early morning in hot and humid conditions.

“…I think we should just do a rain check. I’m so sad,” Trump said.

The event was scheduled to take place after the first week of Trump’s historic criminal trial in New York. With jury selection complete, opening statements were expected to begin on Monday.

Trump, who will face Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 general election, also faces criminal cases in Washington, Georgia and Florida, but the New York case is the only one certain to go to trial this year.

Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have their sights set on winning North Carolina, one of six or seven swing states likely to determine the outcome in November.

Trump narrowly won the state against Biden in 2020.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to North Carolina last month to campaign.