Donald Trump References Willie Horton Ad, Displays Mug Shots at North Carolina Rally
During a campaign rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, Donald Trump referenced the racially charged 1988 Willie Horton presidential campaign ad and a recent murder case to criticize Democrats on crime. He also displayed mug shots of Black individuals at the…
Anchorage, AK, September 18, 2026 —
During a campaign rally held in Gastonia, North Carolina, former President Donald Trump invoked the controversial 1988 Willie Horton presidential campaign advertisement. His remarks also included a reference to a recent murder case as he sought to criticize the Democratic Party’s approach to crime.
At the same event, Trump displayed mug shots of Black individuals. The context for displaying these images was presented as part of his critique of crime in the United States.
The Willie Horton ad, which aired during the 1988 presidential campaign, focused on a Black man who committed crimes while on furlough from a Massachusetts prison. The advertisement was widely criticized at the time for its racial undertones and was seen by many as a divisive tactic.
The specific recent murder case referenced by Trump was not explicitly detailed in the summary provided. Similarly, the identities of the individuals whose mug shots were displayed were not specified.
Trump’s remarks at the rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, centered on themes of public safety and law and order, using the historical reference and the displayed mug shots to underscore his points about crime and to critique the policies of Democrats.
Story summarized from the original created by Corey Williams, Associated Press on www.adn.com, see more information here.
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