On Friday, Vice President JD Vance visited one of the pivotal battleground states in the upcoming midterm elections to advocate for President Trump’s economic policies. As Republicans strive to maintain their hold on Congress, Vance highlighted the administration’s efforts to address affordability.

Addressing an enthusiastic crowd in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Vance stated, “The affordability crisis was triggered by Joe Biden, whereas Donald J. Trump has made Americans $1,300 richer.” His comments drew loud applause from the audience.

With recent polls indicating that the cost of living remains a primary concern for voters ahead of the November 3 elections, Vance focused much of his speech on alleviating financial worries. He emphasized, “In the year and a month since President Trump took office again, the average American family has seen an increase of $1,300, reversing the $3,200 loss experienced under Biden.” Vance attributed these gains to tax credits championed by Trump.

Vance has emerged as a key spokesperson for the Trump administration, particularly in promoting the perceived economic achievements of Trump’s presidency.

“We’ve witnessed new home purchases reach their highest level in five years, a trend not seen since Trump’s previous term,” Vance noted. “Additionally, rental costs have decreased for six consecutive months. North Carolina families can expect average tax refunds of around $3,700, and interest rates are at their lowest since Trump’s last presidency.”

“We have seen new home purchaes rise to their highest level in five years, since the last time Donald Trump was president,” Vance said. “We have seen the cost of rents drop for six months in a row. We have seen the average tax refund that will come to the people of North Carolina — about $3,700 per family — and we have interest rates the lowest they have been since the last time Donald Trump was president.”

Despite the administration’s rosy outlook, a Fox News poll released earlier this month found only 30% view the economy positively, while a majority of voters remain worried about the costs of groceries, utilities, healthcare, housing, and gas.

The Trump administration is trying to ease fears, in part by describing high prices at the pump as a temporary side effect of the war with Iran.

“My friends, the president is impatient,” Vance told his audience. “He’s the most impatient person I have ever met. In fact, he constantly is pressing on the gas. He wants us to do more. I stand here proud to say after the first year, we are rebuilding the American dream.”

North Carolina’s Senate race is one of the most competitive of this cycle, with both parties vying to win the seat held by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. 

Vance arrived in the state 10 days after the Democratic and Republican primary elections, won by former Gov. Roy Cooper and former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, respectively.

“Roy Cooper is one of these people who clearly cares way more for foreign countries than he does the United States of America,” Vance said. “You see the passion in his voice when he talks about protecting illegal aliens. You’ll never hear that passion when he’s talking about the people in this room.”

The vice president also targeted Democratic Rep. Don Davis, who is seeking re-election in a competitive House district that is considered one of the GOP’s best pickup opportunities.

“Don Davis voted against cutting taxes on those making $100,000 a year and voted against going to war against violent criminals,” the VP said. “Don Davis is not a man that stands for the people of this state or district. He does exactly what Nancy Pelosi tells him to do, and in November, we are going to send him home and get him out of Washington, DC.”

Laurie Buckhout, a military veteran, won the Republican primary March 3, setting up a rematch with Davis, who beat her by 1.5 percentage points in 2024.