Former United States President, Donald Trump attended a community forum at the 180 Church in Detroit on Saturday, July 15, 2024 aiming to gain support from Black voters in his campaign against President Joe Biden.
Trump’s visit, part of a strategic push to sway Black voters ahead of the November election, attracted a mix of local residents and ardent supporters, with minimal protest observed. Michigan, a pivotal battleground state, has been targeted by both Trump and Biden as crucial for electoral success.
Trump’s appearance at the church, moderated by U.S. Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, was marked by a focus on economic and border-security policies, which he argued have disproportionately affected Black communities. “They’re coming into your community, and they’re taking your jobs,” Trump claimed, without evidence.
He also addressed crime, asserting, “Crime is most rampant here, in African-American communities,” and insisted that the Black population desires increased law enforcement. Promising economic revival, Trump vowed to impose tariffs on vehicles manufactured outside the U.S. to boost Detroit’s auto industry.
Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, the church’s senior pastor, acknowledged Trump’s willingness to engage with the community, remarking, “President Obama never came to the ‘hood. So, thank you.”
The event, attended by hundreds, featured a diverse audience and lacked the typical fervor of Trump rallies. Angelo Brown, a 61-year-old Detroit resident, expressed his openness to both candidates, saying, “I’m still listening. I want more focus on America, our school system, the medical system.”
However, not all attendees were swayed. Mae Thomas, a life-long Democrat, voiced her skepticism, stating, “Now if he walked up to me right now and did for our neighborhood, then we might talk about it. But just to come in … I haven’t seen no improvement in the neighborhood.”
Despite Trump’s efforts, experts suggest his visit may not significantly shift Black voter support. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Biden leading Trump 57% to 12% among Black registered voters. Local Democratic officials, including Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, criticized Trump’s visit, with Gilchrist stating, “We cannot take a step backwards into a Trump reality that is so narrowly focused on everybody but us.”
Trump’s campaign continues to navigate his legal challenges and controversial statements, while Biden’s team intensifies efforts to maintain support in Michigan, a state critical to securing the presidency.
