Former President Donald Trump is set to return to the campaign trail with events in Michigan and Wisconsin, two crucial Midwest battleground states. Trump, who won both states in 2016, will kick off his campaign activities in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he is expected to address issues related to the US-Mexico border. He will then head to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for his first rally in the state since launching his third White House bid.
Trump's upcoming visits come after a period of relative quiet in his campaign activities, with only two events held since Super Tuesday. In contrast, President Joe Biden has been actively engaging in political events, including visits to Michigan and Wisconsin. Trump has been active on social media, targeting his Democratic rival and criticizing the legal cases against him.
Michigan and Wisconsin were key states in Trump's 2016 victory, breaking the so-called blue wall of Democratic states. However, in the 2020 election, Biden narrowly won both states, signaling a shift in the political landscape. Efforts to challenge the election results in these states have stirred controversy within the Republican Party, with Trump himself making unsubstantiated claims about his performance in Wisconsin.
Looking ahead to the 2024 election, Trump's campaign views Wisconsin as a 'must-win state' and plans to focus on themes such as immigration and crime, which resonated with voters in 2016. Trump's campaign in Michigan will highlight concerns about border security and the impact of illegal immigration on local communities.
While Trump's campaign is gearing up for a more active presence in Michigan and Wisconsin, Republicans have been slow to invest in key battleground states, facing fundraising challenges compared to Democrats. The upcoming events in Michigan and Wisconsin will provide a platform for Trump to reconnect with voters and reinforce his political message ahead of the next election cycle.
