Former President Donald Trump addressed members of the Teamsters Union in Washington, D.C., today to make a pitch to organized labor, aiming to win over rank and file workers and cut into President Biden's support. Trump acknowledged that he is unlikely to gain the complete backing of organized labor, given his track record as president which did not align with pro-labor policies. However, he expressed confidence in appealing to individual workers and working-class voters, a demographic he has shown support from in the past.
During his meeting with the Teamsters, Trump emphasized his ties to the union, pointing out that he had employed thousands of Teamsters throughout his career. He claimed that a significant portion of the union's voting bloc supported him, though he did not provide specific figures. Exit polls from the previous election revealed that union households predominantly supported Biden, including the endorsement of the Teamsters union.
Trump's focus on the Teamsters and other union workers is part of a broader strategy aimed at creating division between President Biden and his traditional support base. He urged Senate Republicans not to vote for a proposed border deal, emphasizing his position on immigration. Additionally, he stressed that he would not allow Japan to purchase U.S. steel, a stance he had not previously disclosed.
While Trump touched upon various topics during his speech, he notably sidestepped questions about potential tariffs on Mexico and how he would have responded to the killing of three troops. Nevertheless, he remained steadfast in asserting that such incidents may have been prevented had he been in office. The former president reiterated his familiar talking points on crime, the economy, and immigration, which have been central to his political platform.
The Teamsters speech forms part of a broader campaign strategy by both Trump and his team to gain support in districts won by Biden and among different voter factions. The aim is to draw voters away from the Democratic party. Union workers, including the Teamsters, represent an important group for Trump to target in this effort.
Fact-checking reveals that during Trump's presidency, Iranian proxies did indeed kill U.S. service members, including after the U.S. conducted an operation to eliminate Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. These facts are significant as the Biden administration considers its approach to national security matters moving forward.
