Former President Donald Trump promised an “amazing revitalization” of Detroit on Friday at a rally in the Motor City that was interrupted by technical issues.
Trump, 78, blamed the decline of Detroit on Democrats and “globalist politicians” including President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, while also calling for “massive tariffs” on cars imported from Mexico. He claimed that his plan to impose a tax would bring about an economic recovery in Michigan. largest city.
“Detroit has tremendous potential,” the Republican candidate argued. “But Kamala and the Democrats are wreaking havoc on this place.”
“This is a sacred place,” President Trump said of Detroit. “So much has happened and we've been treated badly in Detroit. They've been talking about a comeback for a long time, and we're going to bring Detroit back better than ever.”
President Trump claimed that Detroit, once a manufacturing hub and the auto capital of the world, was “likely being annihilated by a foreign military” because of bad trade deals and Democratic policies.
“Forty percent of Michigan's auto jobs have since disappeared.” [the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement]And China's entry into the World Trade Organization was a disaster for your beautiful place, your beautiful city, and frankly, your beautiful state,” the former president said.
“Under Kamala Harris, the United States lost nearly 50,000 manufacturing jobs this year alone,” Trump said.
“We will take back our jobs, our dignity, and our dreams,” President Trump vowed, declaring that if elected, by the end of his term, “the whole world will be talking about the miracle of Michigan and the remarkable rebirth of Detroit.” . – and this will be a real comeback. ”
President Trump, who has imposed high tariffs of more than 200% on Mexican-made cars, explained that many manufacturing plants south of the border are actually owned or supported by China.
He argued that his tariff plan would close those factories and result in a “mass exodus of manufacturing jobs from Mexico to Michigan, from Shanghai to Sterling Heights, and from Beijing to here in Detroit.”
“A strong auto industry will make all of Detroit richer, boosting suppliers, real estate, and the entire economy,” President Trump asserted.
The event, held at a convention center in downtown Detroit, was delayed for about 20 minutes after President Trump's microphone stopped working about 10 minutes into his speech.
The former president remained on stage, appearing frustrated as multiple microphones were brought in that didn't work during the delay.
After the technical issue was finally resolved, President Trump raged: “What's going to happen is we're not going to pay the stupid company that rented this crap to us.” .
The former president brought legendary boxer Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns and rapper Trick Trick, both Detroit regulars, on stage during the rally.
“Do you think I can take you into battle now? Right now?” Trump jokingly asked Hearns.
Before Hearns showed off his boxing moves, Trump answered his own question: “No, I'm not.”
Trump leads Harris in Michigan by less than 1 percentage point, according to RealClearPolitics' latest polling average. According to a polling company, since late September, Trump's approval rating has been on the rise in the state, while Harris' approval rating has been declining.
The state is scheduled to cast its 15 electoral votes in November.
“We're hoping for a landslide, and it looks like it could happen,” Trump said near the end of his speech.
