“With Donald Trump, workers will lose their jobs”, the first reactions of Detroit residents

Donald Trump becomes the 47th president of the United States. Michigan, a historically Democratic pivot state with the exception of 2016, should also go “red”, in other words won over to the Republicans.

At the headquarters of the UAW, the largest automobile union, Derek had difficulty swallowing the results: Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, November 6. This Stellantis employee lists the names of companies that disappeared during Donald Trump's last term. “In 2019, when Lordstown closed, when GM Powertrain in Warren closed, when several factories closed, where was he? He was nowhere. Those factories are gone”deplores this resident of Detroit.

“This is going to be a disaster for the American economy. Workers are going to lose their jobs. I think companies are going to be able to take advantage of us. Workers' rights are going to go backwards, like women's rights.”Derek adds.

“Socially, the United States will go backwards.”

Derek, Detroit resident

at franceinfo

In the common room of his dormitory on the Mercy University campus in Detroit, Gacia, on the contrary, is rejoicing. “$300,000 for a house is too expensive. You can't buy that. So I think people are going to realize, with Trump in power, that there are more opportunities than they think think so and that he is not racist. What he is doing is not racist.explains Gacia.

Mike and Alicia, whom franceinfo met at the end of a Democratic evening, in the middle of the night, have difficulty understanding this kind of talk. “That a significant number of people have chosen to support this political rhetoric that makes no sense is truly frightening.”according to Mike. “They are willing to accept this type of behavior from their highest leader”explains Alicia. “So there are more than half of this country who still think that a woman is not capable of governing the United States”she laments.