VARIOUS CITIES - SEPTEMBER 16: U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the Ellipse while departing the White House on September 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to North Carolina to campaign with Republican Senate nominee, former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

VARIOUS CITIES - SEPTEMBER 16: U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the Ellipse while departing the White House on September 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to North Carolina to campaign with Republican Senate nominee, former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Marine One (R) with US President Donald Trump on board and a support helicopter take off from the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC, on September 16, 2026. Trump is travelling to Gastonia, North Carolina to campaign for Republican US Senate candidate Michael Whatley. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

Marine One (below) with US President Donald Trump on board and a support helicopter take off from the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC, on September 16, 2026. Trump is travelling to Gastonia, North Carolina to campaign for Republican US Senate candidate Michael Whatley. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung walks on the Ellipse near the White House as US President Donald Trump departs from Washington, DC, on September 16, 2026. Trump is travelling to Gastonia, North Carolina to campaign for Republican US Senate candidate Michael Whatley. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump (C/R) arrives to the Ellipse near the White House prior to board Marine One in Washington, DC, on September 16, 2026. Trump is travelling to Gastonia, North Carolina to campaign for Republican US Senate candidate Michael Whatley. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 16: U.S. President Donald Trump (C) arrives to depart the White House on the Ellipse on September 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to North Carolina to campaign with Republican Senate nominee, former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump arrives to the Ellipse near the White House prior to board Marine One in Washington, DC, on September 16, 2026. Trump is travelling to Gastonia, North Carolina to campaign for Republican US Senate candidate Michael Whatley. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)