Trump Posts Graphic Linking Charlotte Transit Killing Suspect to Former North Carolina Governor
Trump shares an image naming DeCarlos Brown Jr., a federal defendant charged in a 2025 slaying, alongside a reference to former Gov. Roy Cooper.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump posted a graphic on Truth Social naming DeCarlos Brown Jr., a federal defendant charged in the 2025 killing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte transit train, alongside text referencing former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.
The image pairs what appears to be a surveillance still from inside a transit vehicle with a booking photo of a man in orange jail attire. The words “Decarlos Brown Jr.” and “Governor Roy Cooper‘s North Carolina” appear in bold text overlaid on the graphic.
Here is the full post on truthsocial: “Decarlos Brown Jr. Governor Roy Cooper‘s North Carolina ZEPRE FSK” on October 15, 2026 at 3:01 AM ET.
This is Trump’s 2nd message released today, and the last post was 1 hour ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 31 of his 548 posts over the last 30 days classified as uncategorized posts.
DeCarlos Brown Jr. faces federal charges in the death of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte Area Transit System Blue Line train in 2025, according to whqr. A federal judge found Brown Jr. incompetent to stand trial in June 2026 and ordered a review of his mental competency after he receives court-ordered treatment, according to whqr. His attorneys submitted a statement in which Brown Jr. claimed someone had “full access” to his body and was controlling him, according to whqr.
Brown Jr. also stated that law enforcement refused to investigate his claims and that he believes he has been misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, according to whqr. Court records showed Brown Jr. cannot understand the proceedings against him or assist in his own defense. He remains in federal custody while receiving treatment, according to whqr.
U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson said the ruling ensures the case can move forward and withstand any future appeals, according to whqr. The judge found that Brown Jr.’s prognosis for having his competency restored through mandatory treatment is good. Brown Jr.’s competency is a separate legal question from any possible insanity defense, according to whqr.
Roy Cooper served as the 75th governor of North Carolina and completed his second term in late 2024, according to govroycooper. Cooper delivered his farewell address on December 18, 2024, at Nash County Community College, the same place he launched his gubernatorial campaign nine years earlier, according to govroycooper.
Trump’s graphic juxtaposes the suspect’s name and image with a reference to Cooper’s leadership of the state. The post does not include any additional commentary beyond the names and text visible in the image. Cooper, a Democrat, left office before Trump posted the graphic, and no explanation accompanied the image connecting the two subjects.
Zenger analysis
Photo by Zenger analysis
President Trump is the author of Trump: The Art of the Deal, Trump: Think Like a Billionaire: Everything You Need to Know About Success, Real Estate, and Life, and Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life. Analyst and Trump supporter Rod Martin points to The Art of the Deal, Trump's 1987 book, as an explanation of his deal-making philosophy: making big announcements, pivoting often in public statements and, Martin says, ultimately getting what he wanted all along. Critics contend that Trump's books were published decades ago or were aimed at making money, not shedding light. "Generally," Martin said, "critics don't read The Art of the Deal. If they did, they would understand."