Royal Oak Tribune

Trump visits Oakland, says Biden would ruin state economy

- By Mark Cavitt mcavitt@medianewsg­roup.com; @MarkCavitt on Twitter

President Donald Trump rallied with thousands of supporters on a frigid Friday afternoon in Oakland County just days before the election.

The rally at Oakland County Internatio­nal Airport in Waterford Township attracted over 7,000 people, most not wearing masks. It was Trump’s third visit to Michigan in 14 days, with three more visits planned between now and Tuesday. Those stops include Macomb County today, and Grand Rapids and Traverse City on Monday. Last week, Vice President Mike Pence also held a rally at the county’s airport.

Throughout October, the Trump and Biden campaign have been barnstormi­ng the battlegrou­nd state, which has 16 electoral votes and was critical to Trump winning the White House in 2016. Many of the stops were in Oakland County, including Biden (Oct. 16 and 31), Trump (Oct. 17, 27, and 30), Pence (Oct. 14, 22, and 28), and Sen. Kamala Harris (Oct. 25). In 2016, Trump won Michigan by 10,700 votes over Hillary Clinton, the narrowest presidenti­al victory in the state’s history.

During his speech, Trump took credit for Thursday’s announceme­nt of a 33.1% annual rate of economic growth in the third quarter, by far the largest quarterly gain on record, rebounding from an epic plunge in the spring when the eruption of the coronaviru­s closed businesses and threw tens of millions out of work. The third quarter GDP gain was powered by a record 40.7% increase in consumer spending.

He also touched on other topics including: COVID-19; the Michigan and national economy; tax cuts; health care; climate change; fossil fuels and energy, among others.

; Michigan automotive industry investment­s; increasing access to quality health care; rebuilding the military; fair and equal internatio­nal trade, including the USMCA trade deal; the Supreme Court appointmen­t of Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett; COVID-19; and Democratic presidenti­al nominee Joe Biden’s record on China.

“How are you doing Michigan?,” said Trump as the crowd cheered “USA, USA.” “We’ve got to win

Michigan. We’ve got to win Michigan. It’s cold out here. Over the next four years, we will make America back into a manufactur­ing superpower. You have a president who is standing up for the great people of Michigan.”

Trump’s visit to Oakland County comes a day before former President Barak Obama and Biden are scheduled to make stops in Detroit and Flint for drivein car rallies. It will be the first time Obama and Biden have campaigned together. Obama has also made solo trips to Pennsylvan­ia and Florida to campaign for his former vice president.

“A vote for Biden is a vote to wipe out, demolish, and distinguis­h Michigan’s industries,” said Trump touting his economic policies and Biden’s “economic lockdown.”

 ?? KRIS KOGUT — FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP ?? President Donald Trump speaks in Waterford on Friday.
KRIS KOGUT — FOR MEDIANEWS GROUP President Donald Trump speaks in Waterford on Friday.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States