'I fight for you’: President Trump rallies thousands of supporters at Hickory airport

HICKORY, N.C. — President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence made campaign stops in North Carolina just days before Election Day.

The president’s campaign announced that Trump would be stopping in Hickory on Sunday during a flurry of 14 public appearances in three days across several states.

The president spoke during a rally Sunday evening at the Hickory Regional Airport. All attendees were given a temperature check, masks that they were instructed to wear and access to hand sanitizer, according to the campaign.

After pulling Marine One directly behind the stage, Trump stepped out and addressed a crowd of thousands.

“Two days from now, we are going to win this great state, just like we did last time,” he said.

It was the third of five speeches of the day for the president, but this one was in the cold with the wind blowing in his face. Trump didn’t seem to notice, but the gusts were so powerful that they blew over a lift behind the press risers.

“I want to tell you it is really windy up here. Thank goodness you have a president that doesn’t need teleprompters because these things are virtually useless,” Trump said.

The president is trying to get the momentum to blow in his direction. The latest polls have trended toward presidential candidate Joe Biden in North Carolina -- but within the margin of error, meaning Trump is still in striking distance.

The rally on Sunday featured plenty of local flair with Trump praising Hickory’s furniture and promising to not change the name of Fort Bragg.

He said in a second term, he will be tough on China and rebuild the economy.

“If I don’t always play by the rules of Washington and the Washington establishment, it’s because I fight for you, and there has never been anyone who has fought harder for you,” Trump said.

Trump will also be visiting Fayetteville on Monday, and first lady Melania Trump will hold a rally in Huntersville.

Below is the President’s schedule leading up to Election Day:

Saturday, October 31 at 12 P.M.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Saturday, October 31 at 2:30 P.M.

Reading Regional Airport, Reading, PA

Saturday, October 31 at 5:30 P.M.

Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport, Butler, PA

Saturday, October 31 at 8 P.M.

Williamsport Regional Airport, Montoursville, PA

Sunday, November 1 at 11 A.M.

Total Sport Park, Washington, Michigan

Sunday, November 1 at 1 P.M.

Dubuque Regional Airport, Dubuque, Iowa

Sunday, November 1 at 5:30 P.M.

Hickory Regional Airport, 3101 9th Ave Dr. NW, Hickory, NC

General Admission -- Doors open at 2:30 P.M.

Sunday, November 1 at 8:30 P.M.

Richard B. Russell Airport, Rome, Georgia

Sunday, November 1 at 11:30 P.M.

Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, Opa Locka, Florida

Monday, November 2 at 11:30 A.M.

Fayetteville Regional Airport, 400 Airport Road, Fayetteville, NC

General Admission -- Doors open at 8:30 AM EST

Monday, November 2 at 2 P.M.

Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, Avoca, PA

Monday, November 2 at 5 P.M.

Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City, Michigan

Monday, November 2 at 7 P.M.

Kenosha Regional Airport, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Monday, November 2 at 10:30 P.M.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids, Michigan

2 Gastonia Trump rally attendees test positive for COVID-19, officials say

Vice President Pence also visited North Carolina on Sunday for a campaign stop.

Pence traveled to Boone, where he attended a Sunday service at Alliance Bible Fellowship with Rev. Franklin Graham.

Pence returned to Washington D.C. later Sunday afternoon.

Cox Media Group