Former President Donald Trump is set to hold a rally in Michigan next Tuesday to commemorate his first 100 days back in office, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“President Trump is excited to return to the great state of Michigan next Tuesday, where he will rally in Macomb County to celebrate the FIRST 100 DAYS!” Leavitt announced on X.
This will be Trump’s first major rally since his January inauguration and his first trip to Michigan since narrowly defeating Vice President Kamala Harris there in the November election.
Michigan played a pivotal role during the 2024 campaign, with Trump making nearly two dozen appearances across the state — including at least three in Macomb County. Located in southeastern Michigan near Detroit, Macomb County has traditionally leaned Republican, and Trump secured a decisive double-digit victory there over Harris.
The rally comes just weeks after Trump met with Governor Gretchen Whitmer following his recent move to impose tariffs on dozens of countries, many of which were later scaled back.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer had originally scheduled a private meeting with President Trump to discuss tariffs, manufacturing, and other key issues affecting Michigan.
However, the meeting took an unexpected turn when she was brought into the Oval Office for a media event. During the event, Trump signed an executive order instructing the Justice Department to investigate officials from his first administration. He also reiterated his widely debunked claims that the 2020 election was stolen.
Photos captured Governor Whitmer standing awkwardly against a door, shielding her face with a folder as cameras recorded the scene.
“The governor was surprised to be brought into the Oval Office during President Trump’s press conference without any prior notice about the subject matter,” a spokesperson for Whitmer said afterward. “Her presence should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.”
It remains unclear whether Governor Whitmer plans to attend President Trump’s upcoming rally in Michigan or meet with him during his visit. Her office did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.
During their unexpected encounter in the Oval Office, Trump told Whitmer he intended to work with Democrats to keep Selfridge Air Force Base in Macomb County “open, strong, and thriving.”
Prior to her meeting with Trump, Whitmer delivered a speech in Washington calling for a “consistent national strategy” to boost manufacturing. While she criticized Trump’s tariff policies, she acknowledged shared goals with the president regarding domestic production.
“I understand the motivation behind the tariffs, and here’s where President Trump and I agree — we need to make more things in America. More cars and chips, more steel and ships. We need fair trade,” she said.
Whitmer also warned that Trump’s ongoing tariffs on imported vehicles and proposed tariffs on foreign auto parts could hit Michigan especially hard. She noted that 20% of the state’s economy is tied to the auto industry.
“We’re already seeing the consequences. Auto companies are stockpiling parts and laying off workers. Suppliers are dealing with rising costs and postponing expansions. Dealerships could be forced to raise prices by up to $15,000 amid slowing sales. And since every auto job supports three others in the community, the ripple effect will impact small businesses across Michigan,” she said.
Before heading to Macomb County, Trump is scheduled to travel to Rome on Saturday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.
