President Trump arrived in Michigan on Thursday to celebrate a pandemic success story — a car manufacturer that overhauled its production lines to churn out ventilators and masks amid dire warnings of looming shortages
YPSILANTI, Mich. — President Donald Trump arrived in Michigan on Thursday to celebrate a pandemic success story — a car manufacturer that overhauled its production lines to churn out ventilators and masks amid dire warnings of looming shortages.
Later, while touring the Ford Motor Co. plant that had converted to ventilator and mask production, Trump opted not to wear a mask, ignoring the pleas of Michigan authorities ahead of his visit. When asked about the choice, Trump said he wore a mask in another area, “where they preferred it.” He then removed it during the public portion of the tour because, he said, “I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.
Although the visits are official White House events, they have at times taken on characteristics of a 2020 campaign rally, with Trump’s signature rock songs blaring from the speakers before he makes remarks. He has also used the events to attack his political rivals, including likely Democratic nominee Joe Biden, and swat down critics who accuse the president of reacting slowly in the early stages of the coronavirus and failing to swiftly deliver tests and medical equipment.
Just as Detroit factories stepped up during a crisis moment to build bombers and tanks during World War II, Ford’s Rawsonville Components plant teamed up with General Electric Healthcare to manufacture thousands of ventilators needed to help patients struggling to breathe due to complications from the coronavirus.
Ford initially released a statement saying the plant notified the White House of its mask requirement, then later clarified the decision would be left to the White House. Michigan’s attorney general then wrote an open letter to the president saying it was his “legal responsibility” to wear a protective face covering, given current state orders.
“This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State,” Trump tweeted. “I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!”
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