Donald Trump to Skip Upcoming GOP Debate, Plans Visit to Detroit to Address Striking Auto Workers

WASHINGTON – Donald Trump’s campaign has officially confirmed that he will not be participating in the upcoming Republican presidential debate scheduled for September 27th at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. Instead, Trump is planning a visit to the Detroit area where he intends to address striking auto workers.

Trump had previously hinted at his intention to skip the debate, citing his substantial lead in a series of Republican polls. The campaign has now released a schedule showing that he will indeed be absent from the debate and will fly to Michigan a week from Wednesday. While specific details are still being worked out, it is expected that Trump will deliver a speech to members of various unions, including auto workers.

Michigan holds significant importance as a key battleground state in the upcoming general election in 2024.

This is not the first time Trump has opted to skip a Republican debate. In the past, he refused to attend the August 23rd debate in Milwaukee, although he did not schedule an alternative event. Instead, he recorded an interview with commentator Tucker Carlson, which was aired on social media platforms while his rivals debated.

Trump’s decision to address striking auto workers in Detroit comes as he seeks to build support among union members. He has expressed solidarity with the workers, asserting that President Joe Biden’s push for electric cars is jeopardizing their job security. On the Truth Social media platform, Trump stated, “The United Autoworkers are being sold down the ‘drain’ with this all Electric Car SCAM.”

Democrats have criticized Trump’s newfound support for unions, characterizing it as purely political. They argue that he did not take substantial action to benefit auto workers during his tenure in the White House.

Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for Biden’s re-election campaign, stated, “Donald Trump is going to Michigan next week to lie to Michigan workers and pretend he didn’t spend his entire failed presidency selling them out at every turn.”

Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers, emphasized that the ongoing strike is not linked to the 2024 presidential election. He commented on MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe,’ saying, “This battle is not about the President, it’s not about the former president, or any other person prior to that. This battle is about the workers standing up for economic and social justice and getting their fair share.”

In a recent statement, Fain also expressed his opposition to Trump’s presidential candidacy, remarking, “We can’t keep electing billionaires and millionaires that don’t have any understanding of what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to get by while expecting them to solve the problems of the working class.”