Trump Threatens Michigan Autoworkers With Cancellation of $500 Million Grant

Lansing, Mich. – In a direct threat to jobs for hundreds of Michigan autoworkers, the Trump Administration is considering cancelling a $500 million federal grant that would help General Motors to convert its Lansing Grand River Assembly plant to the production of electric vehicles. The conversion was expected to save 650 union jobs and create 50 new roles. The jobs that this investment would create are in Rep. Tom Barrett’s district, which begs the question: Will Tom Barrett stand by idly as Trump destroys industry and livelihoods in his own district?

“Trump’s continued assault on America’s auto industry has gone too far. This move to cancel the GM conversion grant in Michigan is just the latest salvo in Trump’s backward, destructive vendetta against electric vehicles and the proud union employees who build them,” said Climate Power State Director Abby Cox. “Trump is determined to hand over clean energy manufacturing leadership to foreign competitors rather than supporting American workers and their families. He’s driving up the cost of everything from groceries to utility bills, and now he’s literally planning to drive people out of their jobs.”

Trump’s bizarre fixation on destroying America’s clean energy and electric vehicle industries is driven by his allegiance to Big Oil billionaires who financed his campaign and now are collecting the return on their investment—using the power of the federal government to kill any competition that might interfere with the continued use of dirty fossil fuels.

Earlier this year, Trump and his MAGA allies in Congress—including U.S. Reps. Tom Barrett, Bill Huizenga and John James—pulled the plug on federal tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles, raising prices for consumers and slowing demand for the next generation of automotive technology.

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