Former President Donald Trump took aim at immigrants, accusing them of stealing jobs and government resources, as he sought to appeal to both Black voters and hardcore conservatives in separate events held in the battleground state of Michigan on Saturday. The Republican's fiery comments on illegal immigration, a long-standing staple in his unapologetic message, served as a connecting theme in downtown Detroit as he attempted to stitch together a delicate political coalition at a Black church and a group known to attract white supremacists.
Speaking to a cheering crowd of thousands of conservative activists packed into a vast convention hall, Trump claimed that the millions of people crossing the border were inflicting tremendous harm to the Black and Hispanic populations in the United States. He went as far as to dehumanize members of violent immigrant gangs, referring to them as "animals" rather than human beings.
Trump's diverse weekend schedule underscores the evolving political forces shaping the presidential election this fall as he tries to deny Democratic President Joe Biden a second term. Michigan, a state that Biden carried by less than 3% four years ago, holds significant importance in the upcoming election. Additionally, African Americans, who formed the backbone of Biden's political base in 2020, are a crucial voting group for Democrats. However, less than five months before Election Day, Black voters are showing modest signs of disappointment with the 81-year-old Democrat, presenting an opportunity for Trump to capitalize on.
Earlier in the day, Trump addressed a smaller but warmly receptive crowd at the 180 Church, where derelict vehicles sat outside the modest brick building with "Black Americans for Trump" signs affixed. The event, organized by the Black Conservative Federation group, featured rap music and barbecue smoke wafting from a pre-event gathering. Trump emphasized the importance of the area to his campaign and promised to return "some Sunday" for a sermon. He argued that the Black community was being hurt by immigrants in the country illegally, claiming that they were invading their jobs.
Trump delivered a similar message later in the day while addressing the "People's Convention" of Turning Point Action, a group that the Anti-Defamation League says has been linked to a variety of extremists. The event was not without controversy, as well-known white supremacist Nick Fuentes entered the hall surrounded by cheering supporters before being escorted out by security. Fuentes had previously created political problems for Trump after attending a private lunch with the former president and the rapper formerly known as Kanye West at Trump's Florida estate in 2022.
Democrats offered a competing perspective from afar, with Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, who is African American, calling Trump dangerous for Michigan, America, and Black people. Gilchrist found it offensive for Trump to address the Turning Point conference, which was taking place at the same convention center that was "the epicenter of their steal the election effort" following the 2020 presidential election.
Trump continued to promote misinformation about the 2020 election, raising the possibility of election fraud in the upcoming fall election. He charged that the whole election process was corrupt and urged the need to watch and guard the vote. Such extreme rhetoric does not appear to have hurt Trump's standing with Black voters, as Biden's approval among Black adults has dropped significantly since the start of his term, according to recent polls.
While Trump won only 8% of the Black vote in 2020, even a modest shift could be consequential in what is expected to be a close election. Some Black voters, such as Detroit restaurant owner Omar Mitchell, support Trump due to the perceived economic benefits during his presidency. Trump argues that he can pull in more Black voters with his economic and border security message, and that his felony indictments make him more relatable. However, Democrats and critics continue to push back against Trump's rhetoric and appearances, particularly in light of his association with extremist groups and individuals.
