Trump visits Metro Detroit GM facility, touts American auto manufacturing push
President Trump visited Metro Detroit on Monday, touring and delivering remarks at General Motors' Milford Proving Ground.
The president's visit to the Great Lakes state comes less than 100 days before midterm elections that will test his party's grip on Congress.
Mr. Trump told the crowd of GM workers on Monday that he is the first sitting president to tour the historic Milford facility, which opened in 1924 as the world's first dedicated vehicle testing facility.
The president said the 25% tariff he placed on imported medium- and heavy-duty vehicles was designed to protect American manufacturing. He said he spoke with GM's chair and CEO, Mary Barra, before imposing the tariff.
"They've come a long way. It's amazing what tariffs are doing for GM," Trump said.
Mr. Trump claimed GM is doing more business than ever and said his administration is bringing auto jobs back. He also said more auto factories and plants are being built now than at any point in U.S. history.
"We're building more auto factories and more plants than at any time in the history of our country," he said. "At long last, Michigan finally has a president who stands up for Michigan auto workers and puts America first."
Mr. Trump gave what he described as permission to U.S. automakers to manufacture smaller cars, similar to what he said he has seen in Europe.
"Today, I'm giving all American car companies the right to build what are known as tiny little tiny cars. I go over to Europe, and I see these little cars all over the place," he said.
Mr. Trump's remarks were briefly interrupted by protesters holding "STOP Data Centers" signs. The president, who continued to speak over the protesters, claimed he didn't hear what the protesters were saying but called one of the individuals a "Communist."
The visit comes as Michigan voters are already casting ballots in the state's Aug. 4 primary — and as the long-delayed Gordie Howe International Bridge, which Trump once vowed to block, opened to traffic Monday.
The president was joined on stage Monday by several Michigan Republican elected officials, U.S. Senate candidate and former congressman Mike Rogers, and U.S. Reps. Tim Walberg, Tom Barrett, Lisa McClain and gubernatorial candidate John James.
Recent Michigan visits
Prior to Monday's trip, Mr. Trump last visited Metro Detroit on January 13, during which he toured a Ford factory in Dearborn and gave a speech at the Detroit Economic Club.
He also visited Michigan in April 2025 to announce an investment of 21 new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets for Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township.
Michigan's August primary
Mr. Trump endorsed John James in the Republican gubernatorial race in Michigan.
U.S. Rep. John James and businessman Perry Johnson are the two remaining active candidates in the Republican primary for governor. Michigan's primary election on August 4 will decide which party candidates move on to the November general election.
Over 10% of Michigan voters have already cast ballots in the primary, counting both absentee ballot returns and early in-person voting, which began Saturday, the Michigan Secretary of State reports.
Gordie Howe International Bridge timing
While no plans have been announced for Mr. Trump to visit the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the new border crossing between Detroit and Windsor finally opens to motorists on Monday.
Mr. Trump had threatened in February 2026 to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Canada "until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them."
