President Biden, First Lady host post-debate rally in Raleigh Friday with special guests

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — President and First Lady Jill Biden are in Raleigh on Friday to host a campaign rally.

This visit follows the first presidential debate for this election between President Biden and former President Trump in Atlanta on Thursday. The debate was aired on CNN as well as on CBS 17.

The campaign in Raleigh will also feature special guests including Grammy-nominated artist and entrepreneur Fat Joe and multi-platinum artist E-40.

The President and First Lady landed at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport early Friday morning.

CBS 17 was there to see local leaders greet them as they got off the plane.

On Thursday, the Jim Graham Building at the state fairgrounds was already set up for the rally.

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said she’ll be there.

“First off, it’s always an honor when the president says, I’m coming to Raleigh,” Baldwin said. “It puts us on the map, it gives us national attention.”

Will these visits help Biden with the electoral map? 

Former President Donald Trump won North Carolina by 1.3% in 2020, a smaller victory than in 2016. Polls show Trump with a bigger lead than that now, something staff at more than a dozen field offices across the state are trying to change.

This is the president’s third visit to Raleigh in five months.

In March, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited Raleigh to campaign a push for more affordable healthcare in the state.

In January, Biden spoke about investments in internet access.

Until the 2024 election results come in, don’t expect this to be the president’s last time in our area.

“As the campaign heats up, I’m sure we’re going to see a lot more,” Baldwin said.

Heavy traffic and delays are expected Friday afternoon due to the campaign. Raleigh police said that drivers should expect traffic delays around the NC State Fairgrounds.

Police also said drivers should seek alternate routes through impacted areas.