Despite polls, Trump predicts a 'red wave' Nov. 3

Speaking at a rally in North Carolina Thursday, President Donald Trump predicted a “big, beautiful red wave" on Election Night, ignoring the multiple national polls that show him trailing rival Joe Biden.

Trump appeared before a crowd in Greenville as long lines formed at polling places across the battleground state for the first day of early in-person voting.

The president's appearance in North Carolina underscores the challenge confronting him in the final weeks of the election as multiple polls have shown Trump trailing Biden nationally and in many swing states.

Trump has spent much of the week on defense, campaigning in states he won in 2016, like North Carolina and Iowa, where he campaigned Wednesday.

"This is the most important election of our lives. Maybe in the history of our country," Trump said. "So get your friends, get your family, get your neighbors, get out and vote. The red wave is coming."

Trump spoke hours before participating in a town hall in Miami.

Trump and Biden are participating in dueling town halls Thursday night instead of meeting face-to-face for their second debate as originally planned.

Trump backed out of plans for the presidential faceoff originally scheduled for the evening after debate organizers said it would be held virtually following Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis.