In Michigan, Donald Trump engaged the Muslim community at a rally in Novi, emphasizing his commitment to peace in the Middle East while seeking their support. Meanwhile, Michelle Obama campaigned for Kamala Harris in Kalamazoo, highlighting differences between Harris and Trump, particularly on women’s health and abortion rights. Both candidates continue to vie for influence in this key swing state ahead of the November 5 election, with recent polls showing a tight race between Harris and Trump.
NOVI/KALAMAZOO, Michigan (Reuters) – At a recent event in Michigan, Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president, aimed to engage the local Muslim community. Simultaneously, Michelle Obama passionately urged voters to support Kamala Harris, the outgoing Vice President and Democratic contender.
Michigan stands out as one of the critical swing states in the upcoming election on November 5, with early voting already in progress.
During his rally in Novi, a suburb of Detroit, Trump highlighted his recent discussions with local imams, arguing that his commitment to fostering peace in the Middle East should earn him support from Muslims concerned about the ongoing regional conflicts. He stated, ‘That’s all they want,’ while also promising auto workers that he would reverse the region’s economic downturn.
Despite being a supporter of Israel, Trump has yet to elaborate on his plans to resolve the Middle Eastern conflicts. Nonetheless, he appears to be gaining traction among some members of the Muslim community who are dissatisfied with President Joe Biden’s stance on Israel.
Imam Belal Alzuhairi from the Islamic Center of Detroit took the stage alongside Trump, urging Muslim voters to back him based on his pledge for peace.
With approximately 8.4 million registered voters, Michigan holds 15 electoral votes, making it a vital state in the election landscape. It is part of the “Blue Wall,” a group of traditionally Democratic-leaning states that includes Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
MICHELLE OBAMA SPEAKS OUT
Meanwhile, in Kalamazoo, about 130 kilometers from Detroit, Kamala Harris took the opportunity to emphasize her differences with Trump across various critical issues, particularly abortion rights.
In her comments, Michelle Obama expressed concern over the disparate treatment of Trump and Harris in the media. ‘I hope you’ll forgive me, I’m a little frustrated that some of us prefer to ignore (Donald) Trump’s crass incompetence while demanding that Kamala (Harris) dazzle us at every turn,’ she remarked.
Michelle also addressed women’s health issues, criticizing Trump’s lack of understanding regarding its complexities. She warned that his intention to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a significant health coverage law enacted during Barack Obama’s presidency, would have a detrimental impact on women’s health overall.
Harris then took to the stage, calling on voters to reject fear and division in the political landscape.
Prior to her rally, Harris met with women in Portage, advocating for abortion rights that have come under threat since a 2022 Supreme Court ruling empowered individual states to regulate the matter.
According to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, Harris currently leads Trump nationally with 46% of voter support compared to Trump’s 43%. In Michigan, the margin is narrower, with Harris at 47.6% versus Trump’s 47.1%, as reported by poll aggregator FiveThirtyEight.
(With contributions from Gabriella Borter, Stephanie Kelly, Andrea Shalal, Alexandra Ulmer, and Daniel Trotta; French version by Camille Raynaud)
Reported by James Oliphant and Trevor Hunnicutt