Former President Donald Trump made controversial comments while campaigning in Michigan, referring to Detroit as a developing nation and questioning its greatness. Trump also criticized Democrat Kamala Harris, warning that the country would end up like Detroit if she were to win the presidency. He later traveled to Pennsylvania, another crucial swing state, where he promised young voters better conditions as they start their careers.
Michigan, a state that Trump won in 2016 but Biden carried in 2020, has been a focus for both candidates in the final stretch of the campaign. Michigan is home to major car companies, the United Auto Workers, and a significant Arab American population. Many Arab Americans in Michigan have expressed frustration with the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza after the attack by Hamas.
During his rally in Michigan, Trump highlighted local Muslim and Arab American leaders who supported him, emphasizing the importance of their votes in the election. Trump claimed that under his presidency, there was peace in the region, contrasting it with the current administration’s policies. However, Trump’s history of policies hostile to this group, such as the Muslim travel ban, has raised concerns within the Arab American community.
In Pennsylvania, Trump addressed a crowd that included more young people than usual, promising a strong economy and unprecedented peace and prosperity under his leadership. He praised Penn State University’s wrestling team and discussed the impact of Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio. Despite previous false claims about immigrants, Trump did not repeat them during his campaign stops on Saturday.
Trump’s long remarks included criticisms of Harris, the media, and familiar campaign staples like immigration and energy policies. He also spoke about the impact of immigrant labor on the economy, a claim contradicted by government data. Trump’s event in Pennsylvania attracted attention for starting late and seeing a noticeable decrease in the crowd as the kickoff of a football game neared. Ultimately, the campaign events in Michigan and Pennsylvania highlighted the importance of swing states and key voting demographics in the 2024 election.
