WARREN, Mich. — In the first rally of his improbable second term, President Trump sounded like he was running for a third, touting major accomplishments, making huge promises, and jabbing at Democrats who are angling to block him.
In a swing-state visit that followed a whirlwind first 100 days, Mr. Trump had much to brag about.
He celebrated his administration’s quick end to rampant illegal immigration on the Southern border and the deportation of thousands of illegal immigrant criminals and gang members.
New trade policies are driving dozens of manufacturers back to the United States, the president said, and he’s rid the government of “woke” diversity, equity and inclusion policies and regulations strangling commerce.
On the last point, he cited reviving the nation’s energy production, lowering the price of eggs and revoking bans on plastic straws.
“We’re here tonight in the heartland of our nation to celebrate the most successful first 100 days of any administration in the history of our country,” Mr. Trump said.
The president didn’t let recent polls dampen his 100-day celebration and dismissed criticism over his unwieldy and aggressive tariff policy that has roiled Wall Street and threatens to disrupt supply chains.
He spun it as a positive: Jobs are coming back and trade deals are in the works from countries clamoring to sell their products in the United States.
“I think it’s going to work out,” Mr. Trump said. “We are going to make a deal but it’s going to be a fair deal.”
Several polls show his approval rating underwater and indicate many voters aren’t happy with his handling of inflation and the economy, two of the issues that most helped him win a second term.
Mr. Trump called the polls “fake,” and said pollsters interviewed more Democrats than Republicans, skewing the outcome. A poll showing him with 44% is “actually not that bad,” he said, but he claimed his real approval numbers are “in the 60s or 70s.”
Mr. Trump touted lower gas prices, dropping mortgage rates and a decrease in core inflation and consumer prices.
Eggs are nearly 45% cheaper than when he took office and hundreds of thousands of jobs have been created.
“This is all done in 100 days, but when you watch the fake news, you see fake polls,” he told the crowd.
He promised big tax cuts, including no tax on tips, overtime or Social Security, halong with igher wages and an end to inflation. Social Security and Medicaid would be protected and preserved, Mr. Trump said.
“We’ve just gotten started,” he said. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
The president chose Macomb, the most heavily Republican county in Michigan, to commemorate the 100-day mark of his second term. He won the state by less than half a percentage point in 2024 and it played a crucial role in his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
Robert Cowper, 57, drove 30 miles from Imlay City, Michigan to see Mr. Trump. He praised him for moving aggressively to keep his campaign promises, including his decision to impose tariffs to correct trade imbalances and return manufacturing to the United States, even if his policies upset some in the GOP.
“He’s got the Republicans scared,” Mr. Cowper said. “He’s got the Democrats scared, he’s got all the countries scared. I’m fine with what he’s doing. He’s got other countries starting to give us back our money, because they owe us quite a bit of money.”
Kristie McKibbin, who drove from Toledo, Ohio, to the Trump rally, remains loyal to the president because he has acted quickly to fulfill his campaign promises, just as he did during his first term in office, she said.
“He’s done better than we ever could have expected,” she said. “Not that I didn’t know it was going to be good. He fulfilled every one of his promises in 2020 and so we knew it was going to be good. But it just keeps getting better and better.”
Among all of his 100-day policies, none have caused more economic disruption and voter angst than tariffs, which the president imposed to reduce U.S. trade deficits and to help return manufacturing to the United States.
The move created an unlikely alliance with the United Auto Workers, who typically back Democrats and did not endorse Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign. Auto workers hope the tariffs will steer car manufacturers back to the United States from China, Mexico and other countries that have less stringent labor laws and pay lower wages.
“After decades of politicians who destroyed Detroit to build up Beijing, you finally have a champion for workers in the White House,” Mr. Trump said to cheers. “And instead of putting China first, I’m putting Michigan first, and I’m putting America first.”
United Auto Worker Brian Pannebecker was among those cheering for the president. He brought 85 UAW members to the rally with him and was invited on stage with Mr. Trump.
“Whether it’s tariffs or immigration reform, sealing the border, everything President Trump is doing is long overdue and we are glad he’s in office,” Mr. Pannebecker told The Washington Times.
The enthusiastic crowd was smaller than typical for one of Mr. Trump’s political rallies. The venue sat 4,000 people and about 20% of the room was cordoned off for the media.
Mr. Trump had no trouble reviving his campaign-trail persona, giving shout-outs to regulars who have attended many of his rallies, complimenting one of them on his weight loss and another on his brick-wall suit.
“I miss you guys. I miss the campaign,” Mr. Trump said.
As he has at nearly every rally, Mr. Trump contested the legitimacy of his 2020 loss to former President Biden and accused Democrats of cheating in elections. He attacked the party as “totally crazy” and hell-bent on impeaching him again.
“They have no confidence any more as a party. They have no candidates,” he said of the Democrats.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an 83-year-old Vermont socialist and one of the most vocal opponents of Trump’s second administration, is “a lunatic,” Mr. Trump said, “but still pretty sharp.”
“Bernie’s probably the best they have,” Mr. Trump said.
The president’s first stop in Michigan was at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, where he announced the addition of 21 new F-15EXs fighter jets. The move will save the base from closure by giving it a new mission with state-of-the-art equipment.
Extending the life of the base has been a top priority for Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and appeared at Selfridge to thank the president, though she did it indirectly.
Ms. Whitmer brought the base’s threatened closure to his attention during her recent White House visit and the president praised her for her efforts to keep it open.
“I’m not supposed to do that — she’s a Democrat,” Mr. Trump said. “She’s done a very good job, frankly. She was very much involved with the Republicans. They worked together on saving it and it was not easy. So, I want to thank you very much, Gretchen. Good job. Thank you.”
At the rally in Warren, Mr. Trump credited Michigan for getting him elected and paving the way for a second term that he said will be steeped in more actions to return the country to greatness.
He pledged to revive Michigan’s auto industry.
“It’s going to happen really soon. It’s already happening, they’re signing left and right because of my taxation and tariff policies, which are policies of common sense —and genius,” Mr. Trump said.
“The automobile business in Michigan will be bigger and stronger and better than ever before. It’s going to get better than ever before, and it won’t even be close,” he vowed.
