In his first campaign event since the recent assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump emphasized his economic policies and suggested that his “consequential” agenda could be the reason he’s been “shot at.”
During a town hall event with Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Flint, Michigan, Trump expressed his sadness over the decline of the automotive industry in the Detroit and Flint area, which was once the car manufacturing capital of the world.
The Republican nominee stated that the U.S. needs to increase domestic vehicle production instead of relying on manufacturing in Mexico and China. He then promised the crowd that his administration would impose a 200% tariff on vehicles made outside the U.S.
“They think they’re going to make their cars there and they’re going to sell them across our line and we’re going to take them and we’re not going to charge them tax. We’re going to charge them. I’m telling you right now, we’re putting a 200% tariff on them, which means they’re unsellable,” Trump said. “And then you wonder why I get shot at. You know, only consequential presidents get shot at. … But you have to do what you have to do. You have to be brave. Otherwise, you’re not going to have a country left.”
PRESIDENT TRUMP IN MICHIGAN: "We are going to bring so many auto plants into our country. You are going to be as big or BIGGER than you were 50 years ago." pic.twitter.com/fBcq6NHK1e
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 17, 2024
The former president faced another apparent assassination attempt on Sunday when a 58-year-old man allegedly hid near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, for 12 hours, intending to take a shot at him. This incident occurred just two months after Trump was shot in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
During his town hall event in Flint, Trump concentrated on the economy and trade. Michigan is a crucial toss-up state in the race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, with the RealClearPolitics average showing Harris leading by less than one percentage point. Trump’s main message to Michigan voters was clear: voting for him would mean a vote to restore industry and jobs to the Great Lakes State.
“We are going to bring so many auto plants into our country. You are going to be as big or bigger than you were 50 years ago,” Trump said. “I think it’s safe to say that Michigan is happy that you’re going to be president again.”