President Donald Trump criticized the FBI’s 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago during a 90-minute speech in North Carolina on Friday, at one point alleging agents had gone through his wife Melania Trump’s belongings.
Why It Matters
Trump’s stop in Rocky Mount, North Carolina—part of what he described as an “affordability tour”—comes as his administration works to sharpen its economic message ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
What to Know
Trump spoke at the Rocky Mount Event Center on Friday, mixing policy claims with frequent detours into personal grievances tied to investigations that followed his time out of office.
While the event was framed around inflation and efforts to reduce prescription drug costs, Trump repeatedly shifted to the Mar-a-Lago search. In one extended aside, he described the search as disruptive to Melania Trump and claimed agents rummaged through a drawer containing her undergarments.
“I think she steams them,” Trump said, referring to her clothing, before alleging agents searched what he called her “pristine” lingerie drawer and left a “mess” while looking through “panties.”
North Carolina—now featuring newly redrawn congressional districts—remains a high-stakes battleground, and Trump used the rally to blend economic messaging with election-year positioning.
Below are five key takeaways from his remarks:
1) Affordability Message: Blaming Biden, Few Details
Trump cast the appearance as part of a broader affordability push, arguing that the country’s cost-of-living challenges were inherited and are now improving under his policies. He repeated a familiar line from earlier in the week—“Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I’m fixing it”—and predicted an “economic boom” in 2026.
He cited lower prices for everyday items like gas and eggs, even as public polling continues to suggest many voters remain unconvinced.
“We’re poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen,” he said.
2) Tariffs as a Jobs Pitch
Leaning into the region’s manufacturing identity, Trump claimed new tariffs on imported home furnishings would help revive North Carolina’s furniture industry. He also said wages are rising under his administration and connected the policy directly to the local economy.
“I mean, you’ve been decimated—but it’s coming back now, because I put tariffs on, big tariffs actually,” Trump told the crowd.
3) Epstein Records: No Mention Despite Intensifying Pressure
Trump did not address the Jeffrey Epstein records at the rally, even as the Justice Department had begun releasing documents amid criticism over heavy redactions and renewed political pressure.
The White House has faced weeks of demands from within the GOP for greater disclosure, and the partial release has fueled accusations of a cover-up and fresh calls for more transparency.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Trump supporter-turned-critic on the issue, posted on X: “I graduated from UGA in 96, same year Maria Farmer filed a complaint with the FBI about Epstein and her younger sisters. For 30+ years they covered it all up. Trump called me a traitor for refusing to take my name of the discharge petition. I couldn’t be more proud I stayed on.”
4) ‘Warrior Dividend’ and Drug-Price Claims
Trump reiterated headline claims from his December 17 remarks, including a proposed $1,776 “warrior dividend” bonus for eligible service members and what he described as a new drug-pricing deal he argued could shape the midterm outcome.
At the rally, he also warned of a potential January shutdown tied to expiring Affordable Care Act credits and what he characterized as pressure from large insurance companies.
“Your drugs are coming down at levels that nobody ever thought was possible,” Trump said. “This achievement alone should win us for midterms.”
5) Election Map Messaging in a Battleground State
Trump also used the stop to preview the 2026 battlefield, endorsing Republican prospects in newly redrawn congressional districts and promoting Michael Whatley in a Senate race against Roy Cooper. The timing—shortly after candidate filing closed—underscored the rally’s electoral intent.
What Happens Next
Trump’s Rocky Mount appearance is part of a broader push to refocus attention on economic themes heading into the 2026 midterms. With a competitive Senate contest and redrawn House districts, North Carolina is likely to remain a central stage for both parties in the months ahead.
