DETROIT (NewsNation) — Former President Donald Trump spoke to striking United Auto Workers (UAW) members in Michigan on Wednesday, where he called out President Joe Biden’s push for electric vehicles.
“A vote for President Trump means the future of the automobile will be made in America,” Trump said at Drake Enterprises, a non-unionized auto parts supplier in Clinton Township, about a half-hour outside Detroit.
Trump’s visit came a day after Biden visited the picket lines — a first for a sitting president.
“Folks, stick with it because you deserve the significant raise you need and other benefits,” Biden told union members on Tuesday.
Skipping the second Republican presidential debate tonight for his own speech, Trump focused on rejecting the Biden administration’s stance on electric vehicles, claiming it will cost union jobs.
During the speech, Trump claimed electric vehicles are “too expensive” and said manufacturing cars in other countries is a “hit job on Michigan.”
“I will not allow, under any circumstances, for the American automobile industry to die,” Trump told striking auto workers. “I want it to thrive and thrive like never before.”
With back-to-back presidential events, Biden and Trump are attempting to appeal to voters in a key state for the upcoming election in 2024, with 15 electoral votes up for grabs.
On Tuesday, Biden encouraged UAW workers to keep fighting for their demands as the union’s negotiations with the big three automakers make little progress.
Biden said he supports the union’s demand for 40% pay raises, adding they deserve “a lot more” than what they are currently making.
“As I’ve said many times, Wall Street didn’t build the country. The middle class built the country. Unions built the middle class. That’s a fact, so let’s keep going,” Biden said.
UAW President Shawn Fain greeted Biden at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and rode with him to the picket line.
“I want to take a moment to stand with all of you, with our president and say thank you to the president. Thank you, Mr. President, for coming,” Fain said.
However, Fain previously said he did not plan to meet with Trump on Wednesday.
“I think that he cares about the billionaire class. He cares about the corporate interests. I think he’s just trying to pander to people and say what they want to hear. And it’s a shame,” Fain said.
Trump addressed Fain in his Wednesday remarks, urging the UAW leader to endorse his 2024 presidential campaign, calling it “common sense.”
In a statement, Trump also called Biden’s trip to Michigan a public relations stunt, saying the president was only trying to distract the American people.
“This is nothing more than a PR stunt from Crooked Joe Biden to distract and gaslight the American people from his disastrous Bidenomics policies that have led to so much economic misery across the country,” the statement said.