Former President Donald Trump has decided to forgo participation in the upcoming second Republican presidential primary debate in California, opting instead to visit Detroit and deliver a speech to an audience comprising both current and former union members.
This decision, according to a source familiar with his plans, is part of a strategy to provide counterprogramming to the September 27 debate scheduled at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
The timing of Trump’s visit to Detroit coincides with the ongoing United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, initiated after the union failed to reach an agreement with the nation’s three largest automakers. In a recent interview with NBC News, Trump expressed support for the auto workers and criticized their leadership.
He asserted that the UAW leadership should endorse him, implying that he would better represent the interests of working-class individuals.
UAW President Shawn Fain responded to the news of Trump’s upcoming speech by emphasizing the union’s commitment to fighting economic disparities and inequality.
Fain argued that electing billionaires and millionaires, like Trump, who may not understand the challenges faced by workers, is not a solution to the problems of the working class.
Trump’s visit to the swing state of Michigan signals his campaign’s focus on the general election. Amid concerns about his electability beyond the GOP primary, Trump’s team aims to attract voters they perceive as vulnerable for President Joe Biden.
As part of this strategy, the Trump campaign has initiated a radio ad campaign in Detroit and Toledo, Ohio, aimed at appealing to auto workers. While the ad portrays Trump as supportive of auto workers, it does not explicitly mention the ongoing strike. It will run on sports and rock-themed radio stations in Detroit and Toledo.
In response, Biden’s reelection campaign criticized Trump’s visit, characterizing it as a “self-serving photo op.” The campaign pointed out Trump’s past policies, such as tax cuts for the wealthy and outsourcing of American jobs, while also highlighting that Biden won Michigan in the 2020 election.
Details of Trump’s Detroit trip and the radio ad campaign were initially reported by The New York Times. Trump, who maintains a substantial lead in national and early-state primary polls, also skipped the first GOP primary debate in Milwaukee last month. The third debate is scheduled for November in Miami. While Trump expressed willingness to participate in potential general election debates with Biden, he indicated reluctance to engage in debates with his GOP rivals.
The eligibility criteria for Republican candidates to participate in the Simi Valley debate include meeting specific donor and polling thresholds. They must secure at least 3% support in two national polls or one national poll and two polls from separate early-voting states, namely Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, or Nevada. These polls must have been conducted on or after August 1 and meet specific requirements, including surveying at least 800 registered likely Republican voters and being conducted by an impartial company.
Besides Trump, other candidates such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott have garnered sufficient polling support to qualify for the second debate, as per CNN’s assessment. Candidates must also secure a minimum of 50,000 unique donors, with at least 200 donors in 20 states or territories, and pledge their support for the eventual Republican nominee.
