Former US President and 2024 Presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks at the CWA (Concerned Women for America) Summit 2023 in Washington, DC, on September 15, 2023.
Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images
Former President Donald Trump is planning to visit Detroit next week to speak with current and former union members instead of attending the Republican primary debate, his campaign told CNBC on Monday.
A campaign spokesman confirmed reporting in The New York Times that Trump, the clear frontrunner in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, intends to counterprogram the second primary debate as his rivals compete to catch up to his lead.
The former president’s travel plans emerged just days after thousands of United Auto Workers members went on strike at three major plants after the union and Detroit carmakers failed to reach a deal.
A campaign source noted that Trump wants to speak to a crowd of more than 500 current and former union members, comprising not only auto workers but also plumbers, pipe-fitters and electricians.
A spokesman for the UAW did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on the former president’s plans.
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