President Donald Trump headed to Michigan on Monday to again try selling the U.S. economy to voters ahead of November’s midterms, hitting the state’s competitive 7th District with control of the House on the line.

After making a campaign stop last week in Georgia, he was back in a state with races that are expected to help decide which party wins the House and Senate gavels in less than four months. In Michigan’s 7th District, Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales lists Rep. Tom Barrett’s election bid among this cycle’s Toss-up races. Michigan’s primary is scheduled for Aug. 4.

Also on the ballot will be Rep. John James, who the president has endorsed in the GOP gubernatorial primary there. The Cook Political Report lists the race for Michigan governor’s mansion in the “Lean D” column. 

Speaking from a General Motors facility in Milford, Trump declared that under his second administration “the auto industry is back.”

“For decades, the auto workers and manufacturers of this great state were sold out and betrayed by globalist politicians and corrupt special interests who let other countries steal your jobs, pillage your factories, and loot the crown jewels of American industry from Detroit and all over our country,” the president claimed. “They were ripping us off, not only in the auto business, but in many other businesses. 

“Every president before me promised to stop it, but none of them did anything. They did nothing,” he added. “But now … Michigan finally has a president who stands up for Michigan auto workers and puts America first.”

Trump’s appearance also gave him another chance to hammer his top midterms attack line: that the Democratic Party has been besieged by “communists.”

Michigan Democrats have been engaged in a pitched primary fight between Rep. Haley Stevens, who has picked up a number of endorsements from so-called “establishment” figures, and progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed. The winner will face former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers, who is running unopposed in next week’s primary.

When he was interrupted by a loud heckler, Trump called the man “a communist” in a state he won in 2016 and 2024. About this cycle’s slate of Democratic candidates, he said: “Now you have down-and-out communists. I mean, these people are down and out. And remember, you go communist, nothing good happens. It’s been proven for 1,000 years, using different names.”

As he called Republican candidates and officials to the stage, Trump told James, “You have to win.” He then called Rogers “one of the best candidates we have anywhere,” adding: “He’s smart. He’s tough. He’s fair.” 

Once at the lectern, Rogers vowed to help Trump pass his prized SAVE America Act, a package of GOP-crafted election reforms that have stalled in the Senate. James told the audience he had worked with Trump “to protect our automotive industry against the horrible California [electric vehicle] mandates,” adding: “And as a result, our jobs are coming back to Michigan.”

When it was Barrett’s turn, he drew applause when he noted that “manufacturing is our largest industry” and “our president understands that,” adding: “He’s stepping up every single day to make sure that we bring more manufacturing jobs back to America, back here to Michigan, and I’m proud to stand with you today, sir.”

Economic focus

The de facto leader of the Republican Party was in Michigan, a state synonymous with the automobile industry, amid concern in Republican circles about gas prices that again are on the rise as Trump has resumed military hostilities with Iran.

The American Automobile Association had the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline on Monday at $4.11, up from $3.88 one month ago, amid a ceasefire that did not hold. The president again on Monday brushed off voters’ concerns about fuel prices, which have a trickle effect across the entire economy as companies pass transportation and operational costs on to consumers.

Trump, who typically veers from topic to topic, stuck closer than usual for much of his remarks Monday to economic issues, including his claim to have revived the U.S. auto sector. He did veer into a beefy section on his false election claims and immigration near the end of the Milford remarks, however.

That came three days after a disjointed and vitriol-fueled performance at a White House Correspondents’ Association summer dinner Friday night, where he again floated seeking a legally dubious third term and lobbed insults. He even donned a bright red “TRUMP 2028” cap.

Speaking from his former downtown Washington, D.C. hotel, Trump made disparaging remarks about CNN reporter and anchor Kaitlan Collins, used Palestinian as a insult and made lewd jokes.

“I think term limits are very important because I see what’s happening. I see what’s happening. The other day, a senator I knew got a text, a great guy, from his wife. And she said, ‘When you get home, I wanna have you immediately come up the stairs and make love to me.’ And he said, ‘I can’t do both.’”

The hall of about 700 people was quiet.

“In other words, can’t go up the stairs and make love. He — does anybody get that one? I thought that was actually pretty good,” he said, indirectly acknowledging he had lost the room. “Does anybody understand this stuff?”

On Monday, Trump mostly stuck to an economic script for a good chunk of his remarks — though he did again float another run, saying: “In two-and-a-half years, you may have a different president — may.” He talked about “dirty” Democrat-run cities and his projects in Washington, D.C.

He encouraged American auto firms to build the kinds of smaller cars preferred in Europe and talked up Republicans’ making interest on auto loans fully tax deductible if the vehicle was made in the United States. He also reprised some lines about having put more money in voters’ pockets and retirement accounts.

“In a year and a half, we’ve had an all-time high,” he said. “And your 401(k)s are up by $32,000 and more.”