Former President Donald Trump is set to return to Virginia for a campaign event on June 28, following the first presidential debate, sources have revealed to CBS News. While the campaign has not yet confirmed a specific location, the Virginia Beach-Hampton Roads area is being considered. This decision is strategic, as the area boasts a significant military population and is home to the U.S. Navy's fighter-attack jet fleet on the East Coast.

According to a source cited by CBS News, the Trump campaign hopes to capitalize on the momentum generated by the debate and propel the former president into the "next phase of the campaign." This rally will mark Trump's second visit to the Old Dominion this cycle, as he previously campaigned in the state capital of Richmond in March, just before Super Tuesday.

The Trump campaign has expressed confidence in their chances in Virginia, a state President Joe Biden won by a margin of 10 points in the 2020 election. Despite the Democratic stronghold in recent years, Trump's team believes the landscape may be shifting. Their optimism is fueled by a meeting between Trump and Republican governor Glenn Youngkin, who is the first Republican to hold that position in Virginia in several years. During their meeting at Trump National Golf Club in northern Virginia, Youngkin shared poll numbers indicating that he is competitive with President Biden in the state.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC), however, remains skeptical of any Republican hopes in Virginia. DNC spokesperson Abhi Rahman pointed out that Trump lost Virginia by double digits in 2020 and mentioned Youngkin's unsuccessful attempt to retain Republican control in the Virginia House and flip the Virginia Senate during last year's legislative elections. Rahman stated that Virginians have consistently rejected "MAGA Trump Republicans" since 2016 and are likely to do so once again in November.

Despite the skepticism, the presence of President Biden and his surrogates in Virginia in recent months indicates a recognition that the state may not be impervious to a Trump victory. Democratic figures, including Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, have sent fundraising emails following Trump's meeting with Youngkin. Additionally, President Biden himself held a fundraiser in the affluent Northern Virginia suburb of McLean earlier this week.

As Trump prepares for his upcoming campaign event in Virginia, both parties are gearing up for what promises to be an intense battle for the state's political landscape. With Trump's visit and the Democratic response, it remains to be seen whether Virginia will remain a steadfast Democratic stronghold or if a Republican resurgence is on the horizon.