Former President Trump defended his previous criticism of Detroit at another event in Michigan on Friday, saying he was not “disparaging” the city and was only stating the facts.
President Trump went on stage in Traverse City, located in the northern part of the state, after the start of the rally was delayed three hours this morning due to a lengthy interview with podcast host Joe Rogan.
Trump defended comments he made in a speech to the Detroit Economic Club earlier this month, calling the city a “chaotic city” and saying it was evidence that the United States was a developing country.
“Detroit is a more developed area than most parts of China,” he said at the time.
The remarks drew significant backlash from state and city officials, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Democrat) and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.
Trump insisted that his remarks were not a criticism of the city, but merely a reference to the reality of the city.
“When I knocked a little, I said, ‘Let’s admit it.’ We are torn apart in Detroit. We’ve got to create Detroit.’ They said, ‘He’s disparaging,'” Trump said. “I’m not disparaging. I’m telling you the truth.”
“I think a few politicians were hurt by that. I said, ‘Don’t be sick.’ “We’ll be happy to have car factories popping up all over the place because we’re going to impose tariffs and tax incentives and everything,” he continued.
Trump blamed “stupid politicians” for undermining lost city jobs and vowed they would come back if he were in office.
Following his remarks earlier this month, the Trump campaign reportedly released a statement saying the former president will help Detroit reach its full potential and achieve economic success and stability.
The Associated Press reported that Detroit emerged from bankruptcy nearly a decade ago to stabilize its finances and improve city services.
Detroit’s mayor at the time pointed to Detroit’s recent hosting of the NFL draft and said crime had declined while the city’s population had grown.
