MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. — Crowds gathered Wednesday ahead of an appearance by Former President Donald Trump at Drake Enterprises, a nonunion manufacturer about 30 miles north of Detroit.
Shortly before 4 p.m. more than 250 people were lined up to get inside the company’s building as vendors walked the line selling Make America Great Again merchandise.
He was expected to talk to about 500 people at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Outside, a banner plane was flying overheard with the message, “Trump sold us out.”
The visit was announced Sept. 18, before President Biden announced his Tuesday trip to the Detroit area.
While United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain invited Mr. Biden to the picket lines, he said autoworkers should ignore Mr. Trump and his rhetoric.
“Every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers,” said Mr. Fain in a statement last week.
“We can’t keep electing billionaires and millionaires that don’t have any understanding what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to get by and expecting them to solve the problems of the working class,” Mr. Fain said.
The visit comes one day after President Biden joined UAW picketers at a GM parts facility outside of Detroit. The visit energized union members who said the trip shows President Biden supports workers fighting for a fair contract.
Mr. Trump has not weighed in on the UAW’s demands other than to say autoworkers should reject the transition to EVs, which he has said will cost them jobs.
Bill Apple, 57, a UAW member from Chesterfield Twp., Mich., listened to President Biden Tuesday and turned out Wednesday to hear from former President Trump.
“I want to hear both sides,” Mr. Apple said. “Truth be told I want Trump to do better keeping union people in mind.”
He said Mr. Biden’s appearance was essential.
“He showed up and did a good job,” Mr. Apple said.
Toledoan Tony Greeley, 54, drove up Wednesday afternoon.
“It is a chance to see a past president and be part of history,” Mr. Greeley said.
Sylvania resident John Dillon, 54, wants to hear specifics on what Mr. Trump would do about the EV transition.
“How are we going to transition to allow for technology to press on?” Mr. Dillon said.
Specifically, Mr. Dillion said he was interested to know what ideas Mr. Trump will offer to allow manufacturing to remain in the United States.
“I am pro-American,” he said. “Squabbling about management vs. workers is a bit futile. We should be looking forward.”
About 300 people who didn’t have tickets for the invitation only event waited outside for a glimpse of Mr. Trump.
The number of people marching up and down the street carrying Trump flags grew from half a dozen to more than two dozen as it got closer to his arrival.
Holly Spalding, 50, traveled from Milford, Mich., even though she didn’t have a ticket to get in.
“I have been part of the MAGA Republican Party trying to get the RINO’s out,” she said.
“I don’t like Trump personally,” Ms. Spalding said, while noting that his pro-American policies resonate with her so she would like to see him re-elected.
As it got closer to 8 p.m., the crowd grew even more anxious and it started to sprinkle as the sun set.
Security moved people from the entrances where Mr. Trump’s motorcade would enter and security was visible on a nearby rooftop keeping watch on the growing presence of Trump supporters and a small contingent of anti-Trump protesters.
These anti-Trump folks, numbering around a dozen, also stood at the entrance to the industrial park where Drake Enterprises is located.
Jessica Jones, 36, of Mount Clemens, said she joined the group to support her father, who is a Teamster.
“Trump is not here for union members,” she said. “He is here for clout.”
However, the group isn’t necessarily supporting President Biden, she said.
About 7:40 p.m. the motorcade turned into the industrial park.
The crowd lining Capital Boulevard outside of Drake Enterprises erupted into cheers of “U.S.A.” as the Trump motorcade made its way down the street with cars parked on both sides of the street.
Fans had to stay back on the grass behind the cars but they made their presence known as they waved Trump flags and signs with supportive messages.
Neither President Biden nor Mr. Trump has any formal role in the contract negotiation.
Mount Clemens is about 85 miles north of Toledo.
First Published September 27, 2023, 1:42 p.m.
