An alleged cash-for-votes scheme tied to upcoming city council races in Wilmington, North Carolina has been referred to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) for further investigation.The scandal emerged when a voter in New Hanover County revealed that they had received text messages offering cash payments in exchange for voting for three Democratic Party city council candidates. According to redacted text messages, the voter was promised $100 for each ballot cast.
In one of the messages, the sender said they were following up on a conversation had during last month’s “No Kings” protests and reminder the recipient of upcoming municipal elections in New Hanover County. After listing the Democratic Party candidates and urging the recipient to vote, the sender stated that “each candidate will pay you 100 dollars for your vote.”
The same prompt appears to have been sent multiple times, according to messages shared by state Republican officials
The North Carolina Republican Party confirmed that they had reviewed unreacted messages it had received before forwarding them to the State Board of Elections for further investigation. North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Jason Simmons stated that a thorough investigation is vital to ensuring election integrity.
“This is troubling. An allegation of paying a voter and attempting to buy votes in an election is an affront to our shared values,” Simmons said in a press release. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to the integrity of honest elections and will continue to work diligently to keep North Carolina elections fair, free, honest, and transparent.”
John Hinnant, chairman of the New Hanover County Republican Party, urged voters to remain vigilant while speaking with the Carolina Journal.
“We take these allegations very seriously. The voter who received this message did the right thing and reported it to the election integrity hotline,” he said. “For voters, if you see something, say something and remember, it is a violation of law to take a photograph inside the polling place.”Jill Hopman, chairwoman of the New Hanover County Democratic Party, said the messages are not connected to any local Democratic candidates or the party before claiming the story is a hoax.“The New Hanover Democratic Party is fully committed to free, fair, and secure elections and believes anyone trying to purchase votes should be prosecuted. That said, let’s be clear about the facts here,” Hopman said in a statement. “One well-known local MAGA activist received a text message from an anonymous untraceable number not affiliated with any candidate or party, with nothing to suggest it’s indicative of a widespread scheme. Unfortunately, instead of waiting for the NC Board of Elections to investigate this farce, the NCGOP is trying to turn this into a sensationalized circus.”
State Auditor Dave Boliek said in a social media post that his office has been made aware of the allegations.
“Our office will provide any additional resources or assistance needed to thoroughly investigate this matter. We will hold any bad actors accountable and give voters confidence in our elections,” Boliek posted on X.
President Donald Trump made headlines again this week with a bold and ominous message aimed directly at Democratic leadership, warning that significant political consequences are looming in the aftermath of recent events surrounding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.Speaking to reporters outside his golf club in Bedminster on Saturday, Trump struck a serious and defiant tone, claiming that the Democratic Party would soon face a reckoning for what he described as “years of lies, corruption, and betrayal of the American people.”“What’s coming next is not going to be easy for the Democrats,” Trump said. “They know it. We know it. And the American people are starting to wake up. The truth always comes out, and when it does, they won’t be able to run from it.”While he did not provide exact details, Trump alluded to “major developments” in the coming weeks related to federal investigations, political exposure, and what he claims is a growing nationwide demand for accountability.
“They’ve weaponized the government, corrupted our justice system, and now they want to act like they had nothing to do with Charlie’s death,” Trump said. “It’s disgusting. The American people are angry, and they have every right to be.”Trump’s comments come just days after the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a student event at Utah Valley University.The alleged gunman, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is now in custody and is believed to have carried out the assassination with political intent, according to preliminary findings released by the FBI. Kirk’s death has sparked widespread grief, with candlelight vigils and tributes pouring in from around the country. His wife, Erika Kirk, delivered a powerful and emotional speech promising to carry on his legacy.
Trump himself has repeatedly described Kirk as “like a son” and has vowed to ensure justice is served.But while mourning continues, political tensions have only escalated. Trump and his allies have accused prominent Democrats of creating a hostile environment through inflammatory rhetoric, censorship of conservative voices, and silence in the face of rising threats.“They let it happen,” Trump said. “When you call people like Charlie extremists, when you dehumanize people with different beliefs, you are inciting violence whether you want to admit it or not.”
Trump’s remarks were not just emotional — they appeared to be strategically calculated as the President ramps up his campaign efforts ahead of the 2026 midterms and a possible 2028 run.According to sources inside the Trump camp, the President intends to double down on his messaging that the Democratic Party has lost touch with the values of ordinary Americans.This messaging includes renewed calls to investigate the Biden administration, expand oversight of the Department of Justice and FBI, and dismantle what Trump refers to as the “deep state machinery” still operating within Washington.
“America First is back with a vengeance,” said Trump advisor Jason Miller. “The gloves are off. What they did to Charlie Kirk is going to wake up millions of people. This isn’t just politics anymore — this is survival.”Trump is expected to announce a slate of new endorsements in battleground states in the coming weeks, with his campaign reportedly focusing on candidates who are outspoken against political censorship, immigration policies, and what they view as government overreach.
Privately, Trump has told allies that Kirk’s death marks a turning point in the cultural and political war unfolding across America.“They’ve crossed a line,” he said during a private donor call. “And we’re not turning back.”In response to Trump’s accusations, leading Democrats have urged restraint and called for national unity. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries both emphasized that politicizing Kirk’s death would only deepen the nation’s wounds.“Coming together is what we ought to be doing,
” Schumer said. “Not pointing fingers of blame.”Jeffries added, “This moment requires leadership that brings the American people together as opposed to trying to further divide us.”While Democratic leaders have stopped short of directly responding to Trump’s remarks, several have criticized his tone, accusing him of exploiting tragedy for political gain.Others, however, have privately acknowledged that Trump’s messaging is resonating in key demographics, especially among younger voters frustrated with institutional failures.A recent poll conducted by Emerson College found that 61 percent of voters under 35 now believe political violence is a “real and growing threat” in the United States. Of those, nearly half said they believe government and media leaders contribute to that danger through divisive messaging.
During his remarks, Trump also hinted that a series of legal and administrative steps are being prepared to address what he calls the “systemic rot” in Washington.Among the potential actions: full declassification of previously redacted files relating to past surveillance of political figures, reforms to federal law enforcement structures, and legislation aimed at protecting freedom of speech online.“You’re going to see things that will shock you,” Trump said. “Files that have been hidden for years. It’s all coming out. Everything they tried to do to us — we’re going to show it to the world.”Though no specifics have been released publicly, sources familiar with Trump’s legal team say they are compiling a list of evidence, affidavits, and whistleblower testimony related to federal overreach, including activities conducted under the Biden administration and remnants of the Obama-era intelligence infrastructure.“Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” Trump said. “And we’re about to shine a big spotlight on all of it.”Following Trump’s comments, Turning Point USA announced plans to launch a national mobilization campaign in Kirk’s honor. The campaign, titled “Carry Charlie’s Torch,” will involve youth voter registration drives, a new series of campus events, and the release of a documentary chronicling Kirk’s work and impact.
Erika Kirk is expected to participate in the campaign’s launch, scheduled for next month in Phoenix, Arizona.“Charlie gave everything to this country,” said TPUSA spokesperson Alyssa White. “Now we’re going to finish what he started. And President Trump is standing with us every step of the way.”