Former President Seeks Auto Union Endorsement At Michigan Rally: 'Tell Your UAW Leaders...They Have To Endorse Trump'

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has solicited the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW) during a rally in Michigan while voicing criticism of electric vehicles and current political leadership.

"Tell your UAW leaders — no problems with them — but they have to endorse Trump," he said.

Trump, the leading Republican contender for the 2024 presidential race, repeatedly urged the UAW to back him, pledging to protect the U.S. auto industry from an alleged imminent collapse due to current Democrat policies, including the promotion of EVs, CNBC reported.

Trump expressed support for consumer choice between EVs and traditional gas and diesel vehicles, criticizing President Joe Biden’s aim to have half of all new vehicles sold by 2030 be EVs. He also pointed out the auto industry’s reliance on China for batteries and other components.

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“If you want to buy an electric car, that’s absolutely fine. I’m all for it. But we should not be forcing consumers to buy electric vehicles they don’t want to buy,” he stated.

This visit comes amid ongoing targeted strikes by UAW against General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis. Currently, about 18,300 UAW members affiliated with these Detroit automakers are on strike. Trump commented on the striking union workers and the negotiations during his speech.

Despite the UAW’s historical support for Democrats, UAW leader Shawn Fain is currently withholding the union’s re-endorsement of President Biden due to concerns about EVs.

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