Trump heads to North Carolina for next stop on "Thank You" tour

Starting a three state tour this week, President-Elect Donald Trump takes his "Thank You Tour" to North Carolina on Tuesday evening, ready to formally announce his choice for Defense Secretary, and more than ready again to take his message straight to supporters as he puts together his Cabinet for a Trump Administration.

"He's really excited to be in North Carolina tomorrow," Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told reporters at Trump Tower on Monday.

It was obvious in stops last week in Indiana and Ohio that Mr. Trump clearly enjoyed being back on the road; it seemed to energize him and bring back positive echoes from the 2016 race for President.

This week, the President-Elect will hit three states - North Carolina, Iowa and Michigan.

In his appearance tonight, Mr. Trump will officially announce his choice for Defense Secretary, James Mattis, a former Marine commandant.

Breaking with recent tradition for a President-Elect, Mr. Trump has not yet held a post-election news conference, as he's made clear repeatedly that he is not going to do things the old fashioned way when it comes to the press.

"If the press would cover me accurately and honorably, I would have far less reason to 'tweet,'" Mr. Trump said on Monday morning, as his supporters gave him instant approval of that sentiment.

"The people back there - the extremely dishonest press," Trump said in Cincinnati last week, as boos filled the stadium.

While some in the news media have expressed surprise that Mr. Trump would return to a campaign-style rally, and go after the press in the process - I guess I would say that if it worked for him during the campaign, one should expect to see more of it in the days and weeks ahead.

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