Former President Donald Trump is returning to the campaign trail in the battleground state of Michigan — days after accepting the Republican nomination for president at the party’s convention for the third time.
This time, though, Trump will be joined by his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, for the first time at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday evening. It marks Trump’s first rally since his assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania last Saturday.
The rally will be held inside the Van Andel Arena, an easier-to-secure indoor venue after the gunman at last week’s outdoor venue fired from a nearby roof. The indoor venue is a change from Trump’s previous rallies this election cycle, which are primarily outdoors, weather permitting.
Van Andel Arena accommodates more than 12,000 people, although it’s unclear how many people will attend. The arena is located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, surrounded by several restaurants and hotels. Attendees can expect heightened security given last week’s attempted assassination.
This will be Vance’s first official campaign rally as part of the GOP ticket. It shouldn’t be seen as a coincidence that Trump and Vance’s first rally together is taking place in Michigan, a key battleground state.
The Trump-Vance campaign has made it clear since Vance was announced as Trump’s running mate that they see the Ohio senator as crucial in their strategy to win the battleground states in the midwest: Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Former President Donald Trump and Vice-Presidential candidate, JD Vance appear on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
On Newsmax Monday evening, Vance recalled his conversation with the former president when he offered him the opportunity to be his vice president, saying that Trump told him, “You can help me in some of these Midwestern states, like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and so forth.”
During his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention earlier this week, Vance emphasized his background growing up in Middletown, Ohio, and living in the Rust Belt.
“I promise you one more thing, to the people of Middletown, Ohio, and all the forgotten communities in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and every corner of our nation: I will be a vice president who never forgets where he came from,” Vance said Wednesday night.
Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump arrives to attend Day 3 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 17, 2024.
Mike Segar/Reuters
But Vance has come a long way since his Rust Belt days, having gone on to attend Yale Law School and worked in the tech industry as a venture capitalist.
In 2016, Vance released his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” which shared his story of growing up in poverty in America’s Rust Belt and being surrounded by violence and addiction.
A few years later, he launched his campaign for Ohio’s open Senate seat, winning the general election in 2022, defeating then-Rep. Tim Ryan.
Michigan is an essential state for both candidates. President Joe Biden defeated Trump in Michigan in 2020, however, Trump won the state in 2016 over Hillary Clinton.
The arena will be a familiar venue to Trump as he held a rally there in March 2019. In his previous election cycles, Trump made Michigan his final stop before Election Day.
During Trump’s keynote address at the RNC on Thursday, the former president mentioned the auto industry several times in an attempt to appeal to Michigan, home of many auto manufacturers. Although Trump pledges to bring back auto industry jobs, Trump disparaged United Auto Workers’ leadership, saying the union’s leader should be “fired immediately.”
“So with all the other things happening on our border, and they’re being built by China to make cars and sell them into our country, no tax, no anything. The United Auto Workers ought to be ashamed for allowing this to happen and the leader of the United Auto Workers should be fired immediately,” Trump said.
UAW, which endorsed Biden in January, responded in a post on X Thursday night, saying “.@realDonaldTrump is a scab and a billionaire and that’s who he represents. We know which side we’re on. Not his.”
Former President Donald Trump and bestselling author J.D. Vance are set to embark on their first joint campaign tour, sparking excitement and speculation among political pundits and supporters alike. The tour, which will take place in key battleground states, is seen as a strategic move to rally support for the Republican Party ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
Donald Trump, who remains a dominant figure in the GOP, has been actively involved in endorsing and campaigning for candidates who align with his America First agenda. J.D. Vance, author of the acclaimed memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” has also emerged as a prominent voice within the conservative movement, advocating for policies that address the needs of working-class Americans.
The decision to team up for a joint campaign tour reflects the growing alliance between Trump loyalists and rising stars within the Republican Party. Both Trump and Vance have garnered significant support from grassroots conservatives who are eager to see a return to the policies and values championed by the former president.
The tour is expected to focus on key issues such as immigration, trade, and economic revitalization, all of which have been central themes in both Trump’s and Vance’s platforms. By joining forces, the two figures aim to energize voters and mobilize support for Republican candidates who share their vision for America.
Critics of the tour argue that it represents a further entrenchment of the GOP in Trumpism, potentially alienating moderate voters and widening divisions within the party. However, supporters view it as a powerful demonstration of unity and strength that will galvanize conservatives and attract new followers to the Republican cause.
As Trump and Vance hit the campaign trail together, all eyes will be on their message and their ability to connect with voters. With the midterm elections looming large on the horizon, their joint tour promises to be a defining moment in the ongoing battle for the soul of the Republican Party.
