President Trump attacks media, bolsters support for Republicans at Charlotte rally

CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX 46/AP) - During a political rally in Charlotte, President Donald Trump accused the media of using the pipe bomb incident to "score political points" against him and the GOP.

At the rally Friday, Trump said the media has tried to attack the conservative movement, which he says is trying to bring power back to the American people.

Trump was in Charlotte to campaign in support of Rep. Ted Budd and GOP candidate Mark Harris.

The pro-Trump crowd broke into boos when he denounced negative media coverage and there were loud chants of "CNN sucks." He says the media has a role to play in making the tone of political discourse less divisive.

He says everyone would benefit if the "politics of personal destruction" ends.

LINK: Traffic delays expected during Presidential visit

Budd is a first-term congressman facing Democrat Kathy Manning. Harris is in a tight race with Democrat Dan McCready for North Carolina's 9th District congressional seat.

Air Force One arrived about 6 p.m. to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. A motorcade then took him along blocked-off roads to his destination. App users click here to watch Air Force One's arrival.

Trumps visit to the Queen City comes after news broke that a Florida man, suspected of sending suspicious packages to high-profile Democrats across the country, was arrested. The man arrested is a fervent Trump supporter with an extensive police record.

App users watch the rally here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.