WILMINGTON — The 2024 Republican presidential contender and 45th President of the United States will return to the Port City this Saturday.
According to the New Hanover County Republican Party website, Donald Trump will host a rally at the Wilmington International Airport on Saturday, April 20, 7 p.m. Doors will open at 3 p.m. at Aero Center Wilmington, 1830 Flightline Rd., and the rally is expected to last until 9 p.m.
Interested attendees can secure two tickets per cellphone number here; it’s available first-come, first-serve.
Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination in the North Carolina primary last month, with 73.9% of the votes and 62 delegates gained. In New Hanover County, he won by 69.03% — or 16,599 votes.
He passed the threshold of 1,215 delegates needed in March and has become the presumptive presidential nominee. Trump is expected to officially accept the nomination at the Republican National Convention in July.
Though on the campaign trail, Trump also will be tied up in court in coming months. Monday was his first day before a Manhattan judge as jury selection began for the hush money trial. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records, allegedly to hide payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign, in attempt to silence her about their supposed tryst. The hush money trial is one of four criminal cases and a civil fraud case the candidate faces while running for re-election.
This Saturday will not be Trump’s first visit to the area; the Port City has been a regular stop on his campaign trail since 2016 when he first ran for office. Trump also appeared in 2020 for his re-election campaign and to declare Wilmington as the nation’s first World War II heritage city. He returned in 2022 during the midterm elections to endorse GOP candidates.
Trump’s connection to Wilmington runs deep; his daughter-in-law Lara Trump is from Wrightsville Beach. She was was elected co-chair of the Republican National Committee in a unanimous vote on March 8.
Port City Daily reached out to the New Hanover County Republican Party to find out if additional speakers and other area politicians will be in attendance, as well as to learn more about event expectations. Readers should check back for updates.
PCD previous coverage from the Trump campaign trail, 2016-2022:
- Photos of Donald Trump’s visit to Wilmington
- Donald Trump touches on voter ID and gun rights at rally in Wilmington
- Donald Trump supporters react to rally in Wilmington
- Protesters chant, speak outside of Donald Trump rally at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington
- While in Wilmington, Donald Trump promises a win in North Carolina and the country
- Wrightsville Beach native Lara Trump loves coming home to campaign for father-in-law Donald Trump
- President Trump greets crowds at Wilmington International Airport
- Photos and analysis: Trump visits Wilmington, double-voting, supporters and protestors
- Trump’s Wilmington visit was a hastily planned affair, emails show
- ‘Swamp creatures’: Lara Trump bashes Democrats as first family continues focus on New Hanover
- ‘Swamp ‘em’: Trump speaks to thousands at ILM, rallies for GOP support
Tips or comments? Email info@portcitydaily.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
