From Sarah Huckabee Sanders 'shaming' Harris to Donald's auto industry focus: Key takeaways from Trump’s town hall event in Michigan

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, just days after the second assassination attempt in two months, held a campaign town hall event in Flint, Michigan, on Tuesday, accompanied by Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Sanders had served as Trump’s press secretary during his first presidential term from 2017 to 2019.
Speaking at the event, Trump revealed that President Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris had called him following the second assassination attempt.He described Biden as "so nice" and praised Harris, even as the town hall crowd responded with boos. He defended their actions, affirming, "No, it was very nice."
During the event, Trump focused heavily on the auto industry, a crucial topic for voters in Michigan. He criticised the Democratic push for electric vehicles, claiming it would undermine American manufacturing. He repeated unfounded allegations that Chinese automakers were preparing to flood the US market from factories in Mexico.
Trump also reiterated his past threats against those he believes are undermining the integrity of the electoral process. He warned that those involved in “unscrupulous behavior” during elections would be “sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels never seen before.”

The former president discussed his key campaign focuses and addressed recent events, including the assassination attempts, during the event
The following are the key takeaways from the town hall event:
1) Trump linked the recent assassination attempts on him to his policies, such as tariffs on car imports from Mexico and China. He argued that these policies made him a target but also solidified his supporters' loyalty.
2) At the town hall, Trump emphasised his commitment to defending the US auto manufacturing industry. He warned that without his leadership, jobs in places like Flint could be lost to global competition. He continued to campaign on safeguarding domestic jobs, particularly in industrial towns.
3) During the event, Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders discussed her children and how they keep her "humble," contrasting her experience with Kamala Harris’s perceived lack of humility. "So, my kids keep me humble; unfortunately, Kamala Harris doesn't have anything keeping her humble," she said, inviting criticism from many. Sanders took office as the 47th governor of Arkansas on January 10, 2023. She is the first woman to hold this position and is currently the youngest governor in the country. Sarah Huckabee Sanders took office as the 47th governor of Arkansas on January 10, 2023. She is the first woman to hold this position and is currently the youngest governor in the country.
4) Trump also spoke about his recent conversations with Biden and Harris after the second assassination attempt. He described his interaction with Biden by saying, “He was so nice to me yesterday. In one way, I sort of wish the call hadn’t been made because I do feel a little — He’s so nice. ‘I’m so sorry about what happened and all that.’” The former US president also shared details of his call with Harris, noting, “Same with Kamala today. She could not have been nicer.” When the audience reacted with boos at the mention of Harris, Trump responded, “No, it was very nice.”
5) Trump also praised a woman who helped authorities track down a suspect in the recent assassination attempt. He expressed a desire to meet her, lauding her quick actions as a symbol of citizen vigilance.
6)During the campaign, Trump mistakenly mentioned Bagram in Afghanistan when discussing fossil fuel drilling in Alaska, leading to moments of unclear messaging.
7) Trump questioned climate change, suggesting that rising sea levels could simply mean more oceanfront property, which he saw as a benefit. He also criticised the shift from 'global warming' to 'climate change,' implying that the term 'climate change' is used to cover any climate-related issues, regardless of whether it gets hotter or colder.