In one of a handful of final campaign rallies before Election Day, Donald Trump painted a grim picture of the state of America, saying “the world hates us,” and promising his administration would catalyze a radical transformation of the country.
“This election will decide whether we are ruled by a corrupt political class—you’re seeing what’s happening, everybody’s watching—or whether we’re ruled by the people,” Trump began in Raleigh, North Carolina on Monday, marking the start of a largely fatalistic final pitch to voters in the state.
“The failed political establishment has delivered nothing but poverty, nothing but problems, nothing but losses. Nothing but losses, we don’t win anymore as a country,” he said.
For much of the speech, Trump attempted to tie the mismanagement of foreign policy by “Hillary and her failed establishment” and the economic difficulties of his voters at home.
“Two things get me the most,” Trump said, after discussing the state of manufacturing in North Carolina. “Two numbers I don’t— It just doesn’t make sense. Twenty-two suicides a day for our veterans, it doesn’t make sense. And here’s another one: America has lost 70,000 factories since China entered the World Trade Organization.”
“Those are the two numbers that just don’t seem to be real,” he said. “Sad numbers. Sad numbers, especially the vets, to be honest with you.”
Trump later lamented the same “establishment” spending too much money on foreign wars “that we never win.”
Instead, he said, he would spend more on North Carolinian military bases like Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune.
“Rarely do we have times where we need this strong presence like now,” he said, after promising new equipment that would benefit the state. “The world hates us. The world hates us.”
“We keep fighting and fighting,” he said. “It’s like a hose, the money just keeps pouring out.”
“They’ve dragged us into foreign wars that have made us less safe, shipped our jobs and wealth all over the world,” he said.
But, Trump promised the crowd, “that will change tomorrow.”
“You have one day until the election to make every dream you’ve ever dreamed for your country and your family to come true,” Trump said, nearing the end of his remarks.
“We are just one day away from the change you have been waiting for your entire life.”
This post has been updated.
