By Lindsey Schibelhut, Staff Reporter.
2016 Presidential candidate hopeful Donald Trump made an official campaign stop in Birch Run at the Expo Center, Tuesday Aug. 11. Trump spoke to a sold out crowd of 2,500 about the changes he would make in Washington if he becomes the Republican nominee. Some of the topics he covered were: Obamacare, Iran, illegal immigration, veterans, Mexico and China.
“Obamacare is a disaster,” said Trump. “Your premiums have gone through the roof.”
Theresa Groner, 50, traveled all the way from St. Clair Shores, Mich. to see Trump.
“I wanted to hear him speak, and to hear what his plans were,” said Groner.
One of the issues Groner said resonated most with her was the repealing of Obamacare. “I work in the healthcare industry,” says Groner, “and Obamacare is destroying us.” She also agrees with Trumps other statements about taking better care of our veterans, and the fixing of our economy. However, after the event was over Groner was still left with unanswered questions.
“I like what he had to say,” stated Groner, “But I’m looking for more details.”
Always unapologetic and not caring about being politically correct, Trump continued to address the issue of illegal immigration. He spoke of the shooting incidents by the hands of illegal immigrants that took the lives of Kate Steinle and Jamiel Shaw, which garnered thunderous, foot stomping, applause from the audience with his “Build a wall” comment.
“The problem is they come over, and by time they get into our prison, lots of bad things happen,” Trump said. “So we have to build a wall…The wall will be big and powerful. I am all for legal immigration, it’s what it’s all about, I’m all for it, but it’s got to be legal immigration, it’s got to be.”
Like many other campaign speeches Trump has given lately, he maintained his emphasis how Mexico and China are harming the United States not only with China’s continued devaluing of their currency, but especially with the automotive industry, and the shipping of jobs out of the country.
“Mexico is killing us on trade. This is going to make Detroit look like small potatoes.They’re taking our factories and building these massive plants in Mexico. The deal is not going to be approved, I want that plant to be built here.”
Diana Millikan, 70, came from Chesaning, Mich. for the event.
“I knew his speech would be very interesting,” says Millikan.
Millikan said all of Trumps policies resonate with her, but the one that hit closest to home was about the Ford company building cars in Mexico.
“I really liked the Ford one,” says Millikan, “I’ve always driven a Ford. But then when I looked over the paperwork of my 1998 Ford Escort station wagon, and I saw it was all made in Mexico.”
In another moment which garnered Mr. Trump a round of booming applause, was his love for America’s veterans.
“I am going to take such good care of the vets,” said Trump, “We have to build up our military.”
Philip Bareham, 55, traveled from Clinton, Mich. to hear Trump speak.
“I’ve worked in policy all of my adult career,” says Bareham, “I’ve worked in county, state and federal areas and I’m directly concerned about the initiatives that have been put in place over the last 20 years.”
“If there is one thing I’d like to hear these candidates say,” said Bareham, “is, ‘I will repeal sustainable development Agenda 21. It is a cancer to the United States.”
Bareham is also devastated about the corporations which have left the country since 1995 and the trillions of dollars of debt the U.S. is in.
“If our debt is over $200 trillion, which it is, how do you reconcile that?” says Bareham.
He is also alarmed at the militarization of our law enforcement and is hoping that Trump can shake things up, not only in the debates, but Washington too.
“I hope the rhetoric translates into reality,” concludes Bareham.
Protesters of Trump were also in attendance outside. Lined up on the sidewalk away from the Expo Center, supporters were greeted with shouts and signs, reading “No way” or “Mr. Hate Leave My State,” as they drove up the expo center drive. Some protesters even held Mexican flags.
One of Trump’s lasting statements of the night was regarding the thought of the American dream being dead and how he refused to let that happen. “I am going to make the American dream bigger, better and stronger than before,” Trump stated.
Trump is leading in the polls among Republican voters. Only time will tell if his candor on the issues is able to appeal enough to the voters in order to secure him the 2016 Republican nomination for president. As of Aug. 22, according to a Reuters poll, Trump is leading his Republican competitors with 32% of the vote.
This event was sponsored by the Republican parties of Saginaw and Genesee counties. General admission tickets were $25 with sold out VIP tickets selling for $125. VIP tickets included: “pre-event social time, 5-6:30, heavy Hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks. Cash bar serving beer and wine. Special reserved event seating,” according to eventbrite.com.
