President Donald Trump is set to visit a General Motors test facility in Michigan on Monday, aiming to spotlight his trade and industrial agenda as the midterm elections draw closer and economic anxieties grow among voters.
With fewer than 100 days remaining before the U.S. midterm elections, Trump is hoping to steer the national conversation back toward the economy after months in which the ongoing conflict with Iran has dominated headlines.
The White House intends to highlight what it describes as a resurgence in American manufacturing, pointing to new factory investments and job growth. However, the overall economic picture is complicated by rising gasoline prices, persistent inflation, and public concern over the Middle East situation — all of which could chip away at voter support heading into November.
Polling in Michigan paints a difficult picture for the president. According to Bernie Porn, president and pollster at Epic MRA, Michigan voters have grown increasingly doubtful about Trump’s management of the economy and trade. His job approval in the state has dropped to 33%, with 61% of voters disapproving. Most Michigan voters also believe it is American consumers — not foreign countries — who are ultimately paying the price for tariffs.
“He’s got a serious problem going into the midterms because people don’t believe him and they don’t think he’s telling the truth,” Porn said, speaking about Trump’s standing in Michigan, where Epic MRA is headquartered.
White House spokeswoman Liz Huston pushed back, saying Trump’s “America First” approach has prompted automakers to invest, hire, and expand at a rate of growth “not seen in decades.” She added that Trump is “delivering on his promise to bring manufacturing back to America and rebuild the auto industry.”
While Trump and Republicans hold a considerable edge in fundraising, backed by strong donor networks and campaign infrastructure, polls indicate Democrats have an advantage in voter enthusiasm and motivation — a factor that can be decisive in midterm elections where turnout plays an outsized role.
Trump carried Michigan in 2024, defeating former Vice President Kamala Harris by roughly 1.4 percentage points, flipping the state back to Republicans after Joe Biden had won it in 2020.
Michigan is shaping up to be a key battleground in the fight for control of Congress. An open Senate seat is drawing national attention, with voters in both parties set to select their nominees in an August primary. Republicans are backing former Congressman Mike Rogers, while Democrats are holding a competitive primary between Representative Haley Stevens and two state senators, Mallory McMorrow and Abdul El-Sayed.
During Monday’s visit, Trump is expected to tour GM’s Milford Proving Ground, a vehicle testing facility situated roughly 40 miles northwest of Detroit. The sprawling site spans thousands of acres and features test tracks, laboratories, and facilities designed to replicate real-world driving conditions. GM CEO Mary Barra is expected to be present at the event, the company confirmed.
Trump has used tariffs to pressure U.S. manufacturers into shifting production back to American soil. GM, for instance, plans to move production of the Chevrolet Blazer from Mexico and add domestic Equinox production to supplement existing capacity.
Automakers and their suppliers have been adjusting to shifting tariff policies and changing emissions regulations, forcing long-term strategic changes across the industry. After years of encouragement from the Obama and Biden administrations to invest in electric vehicles, GM and others are now scaling back those plans. EV sales have softened since a consumer tax credit expired last fall, and GM has taken $10.9 billion in charges to restructure its electric vehicle operations.
Despite those headwinds, GM’s U.S. business appears strong. The company raised its 2026 profit forecast for the second time this year last week, crediting sustained American demand for high-priced pickup trucks and SUVs.
Trump’s Michigan trip follows the recent opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which connects Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, and serves as a major trade corridor between the U.S. and Canada. The bridge’s opening celebration took place Friday without U.S. officials present, reflecting ongoing tensions between the two countries over new American tariffs and a dispute over bridge toll revenue.
