Former President Donald Trump held a rally in the Detroit suburbs while the second GOP presidential debate took place in Simi Valley, California. Trump spoke at a non-union auto parts manufacturer, Drake Enterprises, in Michigan, where United Auto Workers union members were on strike in 20 states. He praised auto workers and criticized President Biden’s record on auto manufacturing and workers. The Democratic National Committee set up anti-Trump billboards in Detroit and the Biden campaign released an ad in Michigan attacking Trump as anti-union. The Trump campaign dismissed the president’s visit as a “PR stunt.”
Trump has been critical of Biden’s support for electric vehicles (EVs) and has taken steps to transition the country towards EVs. Meanwhile, other Republican challengers such as Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Gov. Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Gov. Chris Christie, and Sen. Tim Scott participated in the debate. Despite Trump’s absence from the debates, he continues to lead in the polls among Republican candidates. DeSantis stated that Trump should show up and debate to give voters the opportunity to hear from all candidates.
In conclusion, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Michigan while the second GOP presidential debate took place in California. Trump addressed auto workers at a non-union plant and criticized President Biden’s record on auto manufacturing. The Biden campaign released an ad in Michigan attacking Trump as anti-union, and Trump’s campaign dismissed his visit as a “PR stunt.” Despite not participating in the debates, Trump maintains a lead in the polls among his Republican challengers. Other Republican candidates, including DeSantis and Haley, voiced their belief that Trump should participate in the debates to give voters the chance to hear from all candidates.