Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and several Michigan Democratic leaders hit back at former President Donald Trump following his critical remarks about the city during his appearance at the Detroit Economic Club. Trump, addressing the audience on Thursday, warned that the U.S. could become like Detroit if Vice President Kamala Harris were to win the upcoming election. His comments quickly sparked a wave of reactions from local officials and prominent Democrats, who defended the city's progress and criticized Trump's rhetoric.
Speaking at the event, Trump claimed that Detroit had fallen into decline, calling it a "developing area more than most places in China." He further stated, "Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she's your president," referring to Harris. He added that under his leadership, the world would witness the "stunning rebirth of Detroit."
In a swift response, Mayor Duggan took to social media to counter Trump's statements, highlighting the city's recent successes. "Detroit just hosted the largest NFL Draft in history, the Tigers are back in the playoffs, the Lions are headed to the Super Bowl, crime is down, and our population is growing," Duggan tweeted. He also posted a video on Instagram where he emphasized the city's economic achievements, saying, "Since Donald Trump left office, the unemployment rate in Detroit is way down, the homicide rate is way down, and our population is growing for the first time since the 1950s."
Duggan didn't stop there. He credited the current administration for helping Detroit's resurgence, contrasting it with Trump's tenure. "The best thing that happened to Detroit was when Donald Trump left office and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris came in and gave us real partners," Duggan said, underscoring his belief that the city's revival has been supported by the federal government's focus on local development.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also joined the chorus of criticism against Trump. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she posted, "Detroit is the epitome of 'grit,' defined by winners willing to get their hands dirty to build up their city and create their communities-something Donald Trump could never understand. So keep Detroit out of your mouth. And you better believe Detroiters won't forget this in November." Whitmer's comments highlighted the pride that many Detroiters feel in their city's resilience and development.
Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate also took a jab at Trump, suggesting the former president's words were out of touch. "Donald Trump might not remember where he is right now, so here's a quick reminder about what Detroit's all about," he wrote, sharing a meme that humorously mocked Trump's comments.
The backlash extended beyond political leaders. Steve Grigorian, President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Club, subtly pushed back against Trump's comments. In an interview with ClickOnDetroit, Grigorian said, "I might disagree because you and I know that there's some really, really great things happening here. And when he mentioned that he will make Detroit 'come back'-I don't like that term 'come back.' We're doing really, really well right now."
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris, campaigning in Las Vegas, also addressed Trump's remarks. Speaking at a Univision town hall, Harris remarked, "My opponent, Donald Trump, yet again, has trashed another great American city when he was in Detroit, which is just a further piece of evidence on a very long list of why he is unfit to be president of the United States." Harris's remarks underscored her criticism of Trump's divisive rhetoric, which she argued undermines American cities rather than supporting their growth.
In contrast, Trump's Michigan communications director, Victoria LaCivita, defended the former president's comments, asserting that his policies would lead to a "new era of economic success and stability for Detroit." She reiterated Trump's commitment to revitalizing cities like Detroit by promoting business-friendly policies and economic growth initiatives.
The clash over Detroit's status comes as Trump and his rivals intensify their campaign efforts in Michigan, a crucial swing state that could play a pivotal role in the upcoming election. Trump, who won Michigan in 2016 but lost it in 2020, has made several stops in the state in hopes of reclaiming its electoral votes. His remarks in Detroit were part of a broader strategy to criticize his opponents while promising a return to what he describes as economic prosperity under his leadership.
Despite Trump's attempts to paint Detroit in a negative light, local leaders remain steadfast in defending the city's progress. Duggan and other Michigan Democrats argue that Detroit's recent successes, including economic growth, declining crime rates, and an uptick in population, are a testament to the resilience and hard work of its residents.
