Trump Bashes Detroit While Speaking There

Topline

Former President Donald Trump took a dig at Detroit while speaking at an economic club there Thursday—prompting widespread backlash on social media as the horserace between him and Vice President Kamala Harris remains razor-thin in the critical battleground state of Michigan.

Key Facts

Trump said “the whole country will end up being like Detroit” if Harris is elected, in a speech at the Detroit Economic Club.

Trump was ranting about NATO countries not meeting the terms of their payment agreements before taking a swipe at Detroit, telling the audience that making NATO countries pay up is not “high on [Harris’] list” of priorities, adding “you’re going to have a mess on your hands” if Harris becomes president.

Earlier in the speech, he said Detroit “is a developing area more than China.”

Contra

The Trump campaign said “Trump was talking about the economic disaster Kamala has been for Detroit and the country—and his plan to return our cities to prosperity once again,” in a tweet defending his comments, calling media coverage of the remarks “BS.”

Crucial Quote

Harris, the former San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general, “destroyed, along with Newscum, California, but we’re not going to let her do that to this country, we’re not going to let it happen,” Trump said, using his preferred nickname for California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Key Background

Trump made the comments while campaigning in the crucial swing state, where new surveys this week show him up three points over Harris, while another shows them tied. Michigan is one of the crucial “blue wall” states that could solidify a win for either candidate in November. Trump has repeatedly attacked the Biden-Harris administration’s policies to promote a transition to electric vehicles in Michigan, home to the “Big Three” auto manufacturers, alleging they are a threat to the auto industry. Shoring up voter turnout in Detroit is key to Harris’ success in the state as turnout above 50% almost ensures Harris will win, according to Politico. Biden flipped Michigan in 2020 after Trump beat Hillary Clinton there by less than one point in 2016.

Further Reading

Michigan 2024 Trump-Harris Polls: Trump Closes Gap In Latest Survey (Forbes)