Former President Donald Trump plans to skip the next GOP debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California and instead will travel to Michigan, a Trump advisor confirmed to the Washington Examiner.
Trump will address more than 500 workers, including those at auto factories, the New York Times first reported. The visit comes as Trump seeks to appeal to rank-and-file United Auto Workers members who are on strike and as he seeks to shift blame President Joe Biden for pushing a green electric vehicle agenda.
RISKY BUSINESS: HOW HUNTER BIDEN'S FOREIGN DEALINGS COULD COST HIM ANOTHER INDICTMENT
The next debate takes place on Sept. 27, and it is the second of three debates. It also marks the second time that the former president has passed on participating in a debate, despite having enough support to qualify. Trump chose to skip the first debate and do an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, which aired at the same time.
The decision to target Biden over the strike shows his focus on the president as his main challenge in the 2024 elections instead of the other Republican candidates who are trailing him by large amounts. With the strike, Trump is also putting a focus on Michigan, which he won in 2016 but lost in 2020. The state leans blue, but it is considered essential for Democrats to win next year.
“I’m on the side of making our country great," Trump told NBC News last week. "The auto workers are being sold down the river by their leadership, and their leadership should endorse Trump.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The historic strike began at midnight Friday morning after negotiations between the UAW and the Big Three Detroit automakers of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis stalled. The union is seeking several changes to workers' contracts, including a 36% pay bump over the next four years.
Questions about the strike will likely come up at the next debate, which should include Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, among other candidates who are hoping to secure the GOP nomination.