President Donald Trump delivers remarks at Robeson County Fairgrounds on Saturday
LUMBERTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- Just days after President Trump declared his support for a bill that would federally recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, he came to speak to hundreds of supporters during a campaign rally at the Robeson County Fairgrounds.
On Saturday, Trump delivered remarks on "fighting for forgotten men and women in Lumberton" at the fairgrounds. His supporters spent part of the day participating in a car parade.
"This is a group that's been forgotten. We will ensure the forgotten men and women of our country are never forgotten again. I said it four years ago," said President Trump.
County officials tell ABC11 that the Lumbee Tribe makes up about 40% of Robeson County. There are nine towns in the county with an estimated population of more than 134,457. The median income is $33,400.
"It's a long time over 100 years since 1956 actually when we were denied benefits. We deserve full recognition and not partial," said Alisa Oxendine, who is Lumbee. "I think he will see that the Lumbee people are wonderful hard-working people and we will support him."
Vendors lined the outskirts of the fairgrounds selling Trump paraphernalia as the president touted a strong economic comeback if he's re-elected.
"He's a businessman who values lower taxes and less regulations. He's for the American people," said Catherine Bailey of Darlington, South Carolina.
"This election is about a Trump recovery or Biden depression," said Trump.
Trump's visit came a day after his son, Eric Trump, is scheduled to attend an "Evangelicals for Trump: Praise, Prayer and Patriotism" in Raleigh at RFA Church.
RELATED: President Trump announces support for federal recognition of Lumbee Tribe in North Carolina
This is President Trump's eighth visit to North Carolina since September; in total, this marks Trump's 17th appearance in the Tar Heel State. His most recent visit was Wednesday when he held a campaign rally in Gastonia.
On Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence will host a "Make America Great Again" victory rally at the Kinston Jet Center.
Vice President Mike Pence will host rally in Kinston on Sunday
According to the most recent White House Coronavirus Task Force Report for governors, obtained by ABC News, Lumberton is one of five localities in the "red zone" for COVID-19 cases per capita and percentage of positive tests. Task force officials found Robeson County, which is also in the "red zone," had the highest number of new cases per capita of any county in North Carolina for the week from October 10-16.
Former Vice President Joe Biden released the following response to President Trump's visit to North Carolina today:
"President Trump's failures on COVID-19 and the economy have devastated countless families across North Carolina, and communities like the Lumbee Tribe in Robeson County - which has some of the highest rates of infection and deaths in the state - have borne the consequences of his disastrous leadership.
Yet President Trump has failed to outline any plan to stop this pandemic. With the state's unemployment rate rising to 7.3% in September, more North Carolinians are struggling to pay rent or put food on the table, but President Trump is downplaying the crisis and failing to lead on getting relief to working people.
As President, I will do more than talk - I will do the work. I will bring North Carolinians together to tackle this pandemic. And I will work to make sure the Lumbee Tribe finally receives full federal recognition and ensure communities in every corner of North Carolina have the resources needed to tackle this pandemic and create economic opportunity for everyone."
