Property crime

President Trump, campaigning for Senate nominee Michael Whatley in North Carolina, described the state as one of the most violent in the country. Official data released the same day, and subsequent statewide figures, tell a different story: violent crime fell 5.8% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, with murders down 12.4%, robberies down 17.7%, and motor vehicle thefts down 22.6%. Property crime overall fell nearly 12%. Charlotte saw violent crime drop 8%, though homicides ticked up slightly. The decline predates Trump's presidency, complicating his rally claims even as the White House credits his policies.

Not all categories improved: intimidation, stalking, and kidnapping reports rose, with women disproportionately affected and most cases involving intimate partners or acquaintances. Trump also cited the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, falsely claiming Democratic nominee Roy Cooper released the suspect from prison. Overall, North Carolina's violent crime rate ranks in the middle nationally, undercutting characterizations of the state as uniquely dangerous ahead of a closely watched Senate race.