Former President Donald Trump is taking advantage of his day off from court by visiting crucial battleground states, Wisconsin and Michigan, where he narrowly won in 2016 but lost in 2020. These two states, along with Pennsylvania, were essential for Trump’s victory in 2016 and will play a crucial role in the 2024 election. Democratic victories in Michigan and Wisconsin in recent years have shown that the “blue wall” of states may be shifting, making these states even more important for both campaigns.
Trump’s unexpected wins in Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016 were a significant blow to Democrats, breaking their longstanding hold on those states. However, Biden was able to narrowly capture all three states in 2020, signaling a potential shift back to the Democrats. Recent polls show Trump with a slight edge over Biden in these states, indicating a close race ahead. Trump’s upcoming rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan will focus on contrasting his presidency with Biden’s, highlighting issues such as rising prices and border security.
While Biden has a strong organizational advantage in both Wisconsin and Michigan, Trump is hoping to appeal to voters in these states by focusing on issues such as the economy, immigration, and crime. Trump’s support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas may also help him win over voters in Michigan, particularly Arab-Americans. Additionally, Trump has targeted autoworkers in Michigan by criticizing Biden’s push for electric vehicles, which may resonate with some workers in the state.
However, Trump is facing criticism from Democrats over his stance on abortion and his claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Republican allies of Trump attempted to overturn the election results in Michigan and Wisconsin by submitting fake electors, sparking controversy and further dividing voters in these states. Biden’s campaign has accused Trump of trying to do damage control on his record while in office, including his handling of women’s rights and his role in the January 2021 Capitol riots.
The 2024 election is shaping up to be a close race, with Michigan and Wisconsin once again playing pivotal roles in determining the outcome. While Trump has made strides in appealing to voters in these states, Biden still holds a strong advantage in terms of organization and ground-game efforts. Both campaigns are expected to heavily target these states in the coming months, as they will likely be deciding factors in the election. It remains to be seen how Trump’s rallies and messaging will impact voters in Wisconsin and Michigan as the campaign season progresses.
