Donald Trump’s rally in Detroit, Michigan tonight is “pretty empty,” according to reporters in attendance.
Crowd sizes has proven to be a sore topic for Trump during his 2024 campaign – and he may be less than impressed by the latest numbers turning out to hear from him with just 17 days until Election Day.
Harris, who is also in Michigan, and Trump both sought support from on-the-fence voters as they tried to lock down a battleground state that could decide the presidential race.
Michigan is one of three “blue wall” states that, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, will help decide the election, and the diverse voting blocs are key to winning the state. Both Trump and Harris made a push for union workers and Black voters as they worked every angle for support.
But Trump’s rally in downtown Detroit was not packed to the bleachers, as explained by CNN reporter Alayna Treene.
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She described the venue as “pretty large” but pointed out that it is also “pretty empty,” adding: “They have not been able to fill this.” MAGA fans were also seen leaving the venue early.
Earlier in the day, Harris and Trump looked to appeal to Arab Americans.
The Republican nominee visited a new campaign office in Hamtramck, one of the nation’s only Muslim-majority cities, and was joined there by Mayor Amer Ghalib, a Democrat who has endorsed Trump. Meanwhile, three city council members in the same town have endorsed Harris.
“His visit today is to show respect and appreciation to our community,” said Ghalib, who presented Trump with a framed certificate of appreciation.
David Plouffe, a top campaign adviser for Harris, told CNN that he believed all of the swing states were still in play, but the key was zeroing in on specific groups of voters.
We’re going to treat every cohort like they’re a swing voter,” he said. “We’re going to fight for every vote.”
Trump has tried to capitalize on frustration with Harris over the U.S. backing of Israel’s offensive in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon, following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel.
His allies have held meetings for months with community leaders in Michigan, which has a sizable population of Arab Americans, particularly in and around Detroit. Asked about the Hamtramck mayor’s endorsement, Trump said: “I mean, frankly, it’s an honor. I’ve got a lot of endorsements, Arab Americans, from a lot of people.”
