Trump compares hecklers at his North Carolina rally to Paris rioters and mimics punching them during midterm blitz

President Donald Trump described the Greenville protesters as 'paid by the radical left lunatics' responsible for the unrest in France. He acknowledged it was 'a slightly lesser event' and vowed to treat future disruptors 'very, very rough'. Footage appears to capture one protester being struck by a member of the crowd as he was removed from the airport rally.

Trump's pick, Michael Whatley, is trailing Democrat Roy Cooper by a margin exceeding 10 points.

Trump's approval has sunk to 31 per cent, the lowest of his two terms.

Trump also rebranded Hurricane Helene a 'water cane', drawing ridicule online.