Seriously?

Donald Trump came to Gastonia this week to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley.

And there was one line that really caught my attention:

“Pretend I’m on the ticket.”

Think about that for a second.

This is a midterm election. Trump isn’t on the ballot. Michael Whatley is. Roy Cooper is. But Trump is telling his supporters, essentially: treat this like I’m running again.

And in fairness, Trump explained exactly why. He said Republicans do well when his supporters come out, and he wants those voters to show up for Whatley.

That’s politics. That’s turnout. Every campaign wants to get its people to the polls.

But then we got into the substance.

Trump told North Carolinians that this state has become one of the most violent and worst in the country.

That’s a hell of a picture.

But here’s where I think citizens have a responsibility to stop and look at the numbers.

The available statistics don’t support describing North Carolina as one of the very worst states for violent crime. PolitiFact reports that North Carolina’s 2024 violent-crime rate was 388.4 crimes per 100,000 people—above the national rate—but that 18 states had higher violent-crime rates. North Carolina’s violent-crime rate also declined during Roy Cooper’s second term as governor. (PolitiFact)

So we can have a serious conversation about crime. We should.

If somebody gets murdered, assaulted, robbed or has their car stolen, telling them that the statewide crime rate is declining isn’t much comfort.

But there’s a difference between saying:

“We still have a crime problem.”

And saying:

“This is one of the most violent places in America.”

Those are factual claims we can check.

And that’s exactly what citizens should be doing.

Then Trump moved to Hurricane Helene.

Now we’re talking about something that isn’t abstract politics to Western North Carolina. We’re talking about communities that were devastated by a historic storm and are still dealing with recovery.

Trump talked about the federal government’s disaster spending and additional money North Carolina is seeking.

Then he said:

“If Michael loses, I’m not sending it.”

Now, here’s the context that’s important: Trump quickly said he was kidding. He also indicated North Carolina would receive additional money. (WUNC)

So let’s include the whole thing.

But I still think there’s a fascinating question underneath that joke:

What should the relationship be between government assistance and politics?

Because disaster assistance isn’t supposed to belong to Republicans or Democrats.

It’s taxpayer money.

If a hurricane destroys the home of a Republican, we help them.

If it destroys the home of a Democrat, we help them.

If it destroys the home of somebody who has never voted in their entire life, we help them too.

That’s the deal.

Government doesn’t ask you how you voted before the fire department shows up.

At least I hope not.

“House is on fire, sir. Before we get the hose out—Republican, Democrat or independent?”

No!

Put out the damn fire.

And then there was Trump’s warning about the midterms.

He told the crowd that if Republicans lose, Americans are going to lose their border, their tax cuts and their wealth, and the country is going to “go through hell.” (Roll Call)

That’s powerful campaign rhetoric.

But I think this is where we, as citizens, have to become better consumers of politics.

Because every election we’re told:

This is the most important election of our lifetime.

Republicans say it.

Democrats say it.

Candidates say civilization itself is hanging by a thread.

And somehow civilization keeps scheduling another election two years later.

Maybe instead of asking:

“Who should I be afraid of?”

we start asking:

“What are you actually going to do?”

What’s your plan for housing?

What’s your plan for healthcare?

What’s your plan for crime?

What’s your plan for education?

What’s your plan for infrastructure?

What’s your plan for disaster recovery?

And here’s the big one:

How are you going to pay for it?

Those questions work on everybody.

Republican.

Democrat.

Independent.

Truth Party.

Anybody who wants power should be able to answer them.

Because I don’t think citizenship means cheering when your team scores.

Citizenship means listening.

Checking.

Questioning.

And sometimes looking at somebody you agree with and saying:

“Wait a minute. Is that actually true?”

That’s the hard part.

It’s easy to fact-check the politician you hate.

Try fact-checking the politician you love.

That’s graduate-level citizenship.

And maybe that’s what this moment requires.

Donald Trump came to Gastonia and told North Carolinians:

Pretend I’m on the ticket.

I’d suggest a different exercise.

Pretend you’re on the ticket.

Because in a democracy, ultimately, you are.

You’re the employer.

They’re applying for the job.

So interview them.

Ask questions.

Check their answers.

And then make up your own damn mind.

That’s not Republican.

That’s not Democratic.

That’s citizenship.