Public radio from Western Michigan University 102.1 NPR News | 89.9 Classical WMUK
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Donald Trump Holds Halloween Rallies In Michigan

Cheyna Roth, Michigan Public Radio Network
/
Michigan Public Radio Network

(MPRN-Grand Rapids) Donald Trump spent part of his Halloween in Michigan. The Republican presidential candidate held rallies in Grand Rapids and the battleground area of Macomb County. 

While recent polls still show Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton with a lead in Michigan, support and enthusiasm were high at the rally.

Laurie Sanger got into the Halloween spirit by coming to the rally in costume. She wore an orange “jumpsuit” with Clinton’s name on the back and handcuffs on her wrist.

“I expected more Hillarys here,” Sanger said. “I didn’t know I’d be the only one.”

A popular chant at Trump’s rallies is “Lock her up!” referring to Hillary Clinton. Eighteen-year-old Spencer Phillips was in line early in Grand Rapids to see Trump. Spencer says his first presidential vote will be for Trump.

“I’ve always been into politics as a kid because my dad was in politics,” he said. “I almost always enjoy just arguing politics with kids at school who are almost ignorant with politics that don’t know much so it’s always been kind of a passion.”

Spencer’s 16-year-old brother Leo went to the rally too. Leo says the election is “kinda messed up” but wanted to see a part of history.

Michigan has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate since 1988. But Trump has been trying to take Michigan, along with other parts of the industrial Midwest like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Trump focused on Michigan’s economy and bringing jobs to the state. During his speech, Trump keyed into Michigan’s auto legacy and promised to increase Michigan’s auto industry, in part by taxing businesses that send their work outside the country.

“You know it better than anybody else in this country,” he said. “The long nightmare of jobs leaving Michigan will be coming to a very rapid end.”

Trump also frequently referred to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s continued email problems. Trump said if Clinton was elected she would likely be under criminal investigation, and that would be bad for Michigan’s auto industry.

“I can tell you your cars will continue to leave Michigan,” he said. “Your car production facilities like the Ford facility will continue to leave Michigan. Nothing’s going to get done.”

This was his fifth visit to Michigan. Continuing with his focus on the economy, Trump promised to rebuild the state.

“And we’re going to rebuild Flint,” he said. “I was in Flint recently, and I’ll tell you what, it’s gone down a long way. And we’re going to help you rebuild Detroit.”

Trump’s visit comes shortly after visits from Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine and Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson.

Related Content