Former President Donald Trump took advantage of a day off from court this week to travel to key battleground states in preparation for a potential rematch with President Biden in 2024. Trump visited Wisconsin and Michigan, two states that he narrowly won in 2016 but lost in 2020. These states, along with Pennsylvania, are considered crucial for both campaigns and will likely play a significant role in deciding the outcome of the next election. Trump’s unexpected victories in Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016 were seen as a major upset, as they helped break the “blue wall” of states that Democrats had relied on for years.
Despite losing Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania in 2020, recent polls show that Trump holds a slight edge over Biden in all three states. The former president’s first stop was in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he highlighted what he sees as the failures of the Biden administration, including rising prices and a surge of migrants at the southern border. Trump planned to contrast his own record of peace, prosperity, and security with what he considers Biden’s failed presidency. His campaign advisor, Brian Hughes, emphasized that Trump is ready to win and make America great again.
In Michigan, Trump held a rally in Freeland, where he continued to criticize Biden on issues such as the border crisis and rising crime rates. Despite not having a strong campaign infrastructure in either state, Trump’s team is focused on demonstrating to the people of Wisconsin and Michigan that he is prepared to lead the country again. Biden, on the other hand, has made multiple trips to both states and enjoys a significant advantage when it comes to organization and ground-game efforts. However, Trump has been able to make inroads with some autoworkers in Michigan by criticizing Biden’s support for electric vehicles.
Democrats have not taken Trump’s recent campaign stops lightly, with attacks focused on issues such as abortion and voter fraud claims. Trump’s allies in both Wisconsin and Michigan have faced criticism for trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election by pushing fake electors. Despite the challenges, Trump’s team remains confident in his chances of winning back the key swing states that he lost in 2020. With the 2024 election quickly approaching, both campaigns are ramping up their efforts in anticipation of what is sure to be a highly contested rematch between Trump and Biden.
