International Courant
Vice President Kamala Harris spoke particularly to former President Donald Trump and his operating mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, concerning the auto trade throughout her assembly Friday night time, with assist from NBA star and Michigan native Magic Johnson.
“When it got here to constructing the automobiles of the long run, Donald Trump sat on the sidelines and let China dominate, then bashed American employees and mentioned, ‘we will not compete with Chinese language employees,’” Harris mentioned. “And make no mistake: Donald Trump isn’t any buddy of labor.”
Harris’ assaults targeted on what she mentioned had been her rival’s damaged guarantees on manufacturing and endangering Michigan’s freeway lanes, one thing her marketing campaign attacked Trump on the identical difficulty. a digital commercial launched final month.
The vp additionally highlighted feedback Vance made earlier this week about whether or not the Trump administration would honor a $500 million grant to Common Motors to transform a Lansing plant to provide electrical automobiles.
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks throughout a rally on the Dort Monetary Heart, Oct. 4, 2024, in Flint, Michigan.
Scott Olson/Getty Photos
“So two days in the past, Donald Trump’s operating mate instructed that if Trump wins, he may shut the Grand River Meeting Plant in Lansing, the identical plant that our authorities helped save earlier this 12 months, together with 650 union jobs,” Harris mentioned . mentioned. “Michigan, we fought arduous collectively for these jobs, and also you deserve a president who will not endanger them.”
Requested by the Detroit Free Press on Wednesday Vance didn’t present a direct reply as as to if Trump would honor or revoke the Biden administration’s grant.
“Initially, the $500 million subsidy got here with some actually ridiculous situations and no safety for American jobs that weren’t shipped abroad, as a result of not solely the automobiles themselves, however the battery elements, the minerals, these items all produced in China, and so after we difficulty huge controls on American taxpayer spending on these corporations, we are sometimes promoting middle-class American jobs to the communist Chinese language, and we ought to be doing the precise reverse. Vance instructed the Detroit Free Press.
“We ought to be rebuilding America’s center class and investing in our personal employees, not shifting our tax {dollars} to electrical automobiles made in China,” Vance added.
In Michigan, Trump runs a brand new advert concentrating on auto employees, accusing Harris of desirous to “finish all fuel automobiles” and power People to drive electrical automobiles. Harris fired again Friday night time.
“Let’s be clear: Opposite to what my opponent suggests, I’ll by no means inform you what sort of automotive you must drive,” Harris mentioned. “However this is what I will do: I will spend money on communities like Flint.”
Johnson, who’s from Lansing and attended Michigan State, spoke earlier than Harris on this system, praising her as “sturdy,” “sensible” and “passionate.”
American businessman and former basketball participant Magic Johnson speaks at a marketing campaign occasion for US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on the Dort Monetary Heart in Flint, Michigan, October 4, 2024. (Picture by Geoff Robins / AFP) (Picture by GEOFF ROBINS/AFP through Getty Photos)
Geoff Robins/AFP through Getty Photos
‘Nobody will outsmart her. She is dedicated to you, as are the folks of america, the folks of Michigan. She is dedicated to you,” Johnson mentioned. “She might be a president for everybody. And one factor she’s going to do is lastly unite us, convey us collectively, the opposite facet is making an attempt to take us down.”
However the five-time NBA Finals champion took the time to instantly handle black males, a demographic whose assist for Democrats has waned.
“There are plenty of black males right here. I do not imply to not discuss to different folks, however that is vital,” Johnson mentioned. “Our black males, we’ve got to get them to vote, that is primary.”
“Kamala’s opponent final time promised plenty of issues to the black neighborhood that he did not ship,” Johnson added. “And we have to be sure that black males perceive that. That is why I am right here: To verify I assist Black males perceive, we have to first get out and vote, after which vote for the following President of america, Kamala Harris. “
Johnson additionally referred to as on America to take inspiration from Mexico, which sworn in its first feminine president on Tuesday.
Earlier Friday, forward of the Flint rally, Harris stopped at a hearth station in Redford Township, simply exterior Detroit, the place she labeled Trump “an existential menace” to labor.
“Donald Trump’s file is a catastrophe for working folks, and he’s making an attempt to screw folks throughout the nation, however we all know the information and we all know the reality: he’s an existential menace to the American labor motion ” Harris claimed.
In a short assertion Thursday, Edward Kelly, the president of the firefighters union, introduced that his board had voted to not approve a candidate for president — following the lead of the Teamsters.
“This resolution, which we’ve got taken very significantly, is the easiest way to protect and strengthen our unity,” Kelly mentioned.
Harris dunks on Trump, Vance at Flint rally with help from Magic Johnson
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