(Washington) Former US President Donald Trump, who is seeking to return to the White House and courting the worker vote, met on Wednesday in Washington with the leaders of one of the largest unions in the United States.
By speaking with Teamsters representatives, the Republican intends to compete with his Democratic opponent Joe Biden, who presents himself as the “most pro-union president in the history” of the country and has just received the support of the union organization UAW .
Mr. Trump called the meeting with the Teamsters “very successful” during a press conference.
While admitting that the union had supported Democrats in the past, he said that “some people are saying that over 50 percent of the Teamsters are voting for me.”
In 2020, the Teamsters publicly supported Joe Biden.
Mr. Trump, an ultra-favorite on the right, is comfortably ahead of his rival Nikki Haley in the battle for the Republican nomination before the November election.
To win, he would have to regain a large part of the support that Joe Biden won from him in the key states of the Midwest, the heart of the working class of the American manufacturing industry.
PHOTO ANDREW HARNIK, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien described the conversation as “enjoyable” and “frank,” saying workers’ rights, bankruptcy reform and other union priorities were discussed.
Mr. O’Brien clarified that Joe Biden had also committed to a meeting with the union.
He said the Teamsters usually announce their support for a candidate after the parties’ summer conventions.
But “support or non-support will perhaps come sooner. We haven’t made a decision yet,” he said.