By Tyler Musialowski
With North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District race heading into its final days, President Donald Trump has become closely involved in the campaign of Republican state Sen. Dan Bishop.
In addition to Trump’s appearances in Bishop’s recent television advertisements, the president – who will hold a rally for Bishop on election eve Sept. 9 – has used his Twitter account to provide commentary on Bishop, as well as Democratic opponent Dan McCready.
The social media reach that Trump has is nearly unrivaled, and because of the massive engagement he receives, it is even more critical that UNC FactCheck sets the record straight on the president’s claims.
While Trump initially tweeted his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Bishop back in May, Trump’s involvement in the 9th District Election has increased significantly in just the last three weeks.
On August 16, the Bishop campaign released this advertisement featuring Trump, which was later distributed to Bishop’s mailing list on August 27.
The ad attempts to align McCready with some of the more liberal figures in the Democratic party, such as Ilhan Omar and Bernie Sanders. It also highlights McCready’s jabs at Trump, such as opposing the president’s border wall plan and calling him a “threat to Democracy.”
While McCready does not support Trump’s plan for the wall, he has discussed at great length how he wants to shore up immigration control by incorporating military surveillance technology on the southern border.
On August 22, Trump tweeted about his upcoming appearance at a Bishop campaign event in North Carolina. In the tweet, Trump also says, “[Bishop’s] opponent wants Open Borders, Sanctuary Cities, and Socialism.”
Looking forward to soon being in North Carolina to hold a big rally for wonderful Dan Bishop, who is running for Congress. His opponent wants Open Borders, Sanctuary Cities, and Socialism. He likes the “Squad” more than North Carolina. Dan has my Full and Complete Endorsement!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2019
Trump’s claims regarding McCready are largely inaccurate.
As covered in UNC FactCheck’s debate article on immigration, McCready does not want open borders. In fact, McCready has previously discussed the methods he would use to increase border security.
“We need a secure border,” McCready said on debate night last Wednesday. “If Democrats are saying we don’t need a secure border, that’s crazy. I think we can use the technology I used over in Iraq…to supplement the physical barriers that are there to secure the border.”
On sanctuary cities, McCready has not directly supported, or condemned them. He has sided with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who recently vetoed legislation that would enforce North Carolina sheriffs to honor ICE detainer requests.
In an interview with Charlotte radio station WBT, McCready referred to Cooper’s veto as “the right call.”
But in a comment to PolitiFact, McCready spokesman Matt Fried said, “No, Dan doesn’t support a ‘sanctuary city.’ Violent criminals belong in jail in every city.”
Trump’s attempt to pin McCready with the label of a socialist is also misguided. Back in May, McCready cited his capitalist mindset as a challenge to Bishop.
“Sounds like [Bishop’s] afraid to run against a capitalist who’s built a business from scratch and a United States Marine,” McCready said.
Just two days after Trump’s tweet about McCready, he again posted about North Carolina politics. This time, Trump reacted to Gov. Cooper’s veto of HB 370, calling it a “terrible decision”.
North Carolina Governor Cooper Vetoed a Bill that would have required Sheriffs to cooperate with Ice. This is a terrible decision for the great people of North Carolina. He should reverse his decision and get back to the basics of fighting crime!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2019
Cooper authored an explanation of his veto, saying, “This bill, in addition to being unconstitutional, weakens law enforcement in North Carolina by mandating sheriffs to do the job of federal agents, using local resources that could hurt their ability to protect their counties.”
The war of words on Twitter continued August 27, when Bishop tweeted that McCready “wants to raise taxes & implement big gov’t policies that will put a wet blanket on the economy.”
On Sept 10, voters have a choice between a proven tax cutter & fighter for small biz versus @McCreadyForNC who wants to raise taxes & implement big gov’t policies that will put a wet blanket on the economy. We can’t afford to go back. #ncpol #nc09 pic.twitter.com/PfgRJTatoi
— Dan Bishop (@jdanbishop) August 27, 2019
McCready, however, has actually emphasized tax cuts, not increases, as part of his platform.
“I’m running to cut middle class taxes to help more families and small businesses get ahead,” McCready said on his website.
Trump jumped back into the conversation later that evening, tweeting that McCready “believes in Open Borders and Sanctuary Cities, and won’t protect your Second Amendment!”
Looking forward to being with Dan Bishop in two weeks, in North Carolina. His opponent believes in Open Borders and Sanctuary Cities, and won’t protect your Second Amendment! https://t.co/nSX2yuXAb1
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2019
It has already been established that McCready is not in favor of open borders, nor has he openly supported sanctuary cities.
The claim that McCready will not protect Second Amendment rights is also false. As discussed in UNC FactCheck’s debate coverage of gun rights, McCready does not support bans on assault-style weapons or high-capacity magazines. He does, however, support comprehensive background checks and removing what is known as the “gun show loophole.”
In fact, McCready has often said he supports Second Amendment rights.
Just days later, Trump called McCready out once more. In an August 30 tweet, Trump said that McCready “wants Open Borders, Sanctuary Cities & is weak on Crime, Military & Vets!”
This marks the third occasion over the course of one week that Trump tweeted misleading claims regarding McCready’s stance on open borders and sanctuary cities.
As far as Trump’s attack on McCready’s “weak” military stance, that, too, is misleading.
McCready is a Marine who fought in the war in Iraq and tweeted back a rebuttal to the president.
“Great call on supporting our veterans, Mr. President,” McCready said. He then attached a link to his donation page, and added, “Here’s the link to send this Marine veteran to Congress.”
Great call on supporting our veterans, Mr. President. You got the candidates’ names mixed up though. Here’s the link to send this Marine veteran to Congress: https://t.co/N3xnLP6SGG https://t.co/yHZZsj4Gpv
— Dan McCready (@McCreadyForNC) August 30, 2019
The same day, the Bishop campaign released another advertisement featuring Trump.
“Dan McCready is an ultra liberal,” Trump says in the ad. “He likes open borders and he really admires socialism.”
To say that McCready, a self-proclaimed capitalist, supports socialism is incorrect. Additionally, McCready has made it clear that he does not like open borders and, in fact, wants to reinforce the border with military-grade surveillance technology.
The voiceover claims that McCready is “backed by radicals” with cutouts of Nancy Pelosi, Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the background.
Out of the trio of Pelosi, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, none have commented on the 9th District Election or expressed public support for McCready.
Interestingly enough, McCready actually opposed Pelosi, a fellow Democrat, as Speaker of the House in 2018.
