Trump’s Indifference to Working-Class Citizens

United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain criticized former President Trump on labor policies, asserting that Trump “doesn’t care about working-class people.” This statement was made during an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes.

Fain emphasized Trump’s lack of action during his presidency, stating, “The bottom line is this, Donald Trump doesn’t care about working-class people, and he showed it when he was president.” He referred to Trump’s promises from 2019 about revitalizing the auto industry, questioning his whereabouts during significant plant closures. “Because plants were closing. Lordstown, Ohio, plant closed. Donald Trump told people there, don’t sell your houses. And what did he do? He did nothing. He said nothing. That plant closed. Those workers got sent all over this country,” Fain lamented.

As the UAW gains prominence in the political landscape leading up to the 2024 election, Fain has positioned himself as a vocal critic of Trump. The union initially backed President Biden, and following his withdrawal from the race, they endorsed Vice President Harris in anticipation of the upcoming election in November.

These remarks coincided with the UAW filing a labor complaint against Trump and Elon Musk, the owner of the social platform X, for comments made during a livestreamed interview. In the interview, Trump suggested that Musk’s approach to striking workers involved immediately firing them, saying, “You walk in, you say, ‘You want to quit?’” and implying that he would dismiss everyone participating in a strike.

The UAW claimed that federal law protects workers from being fired for striking, making such threats illegal. Fain reiterated this point, stating, “When we say Donald Trump is a scab, this is what we mean. When we say Trump stands against everything our union stands for, this is what we mean.” This strong language underscores the union’s significant opposition to Trump’s stance on labor issues.

Labor unions, in general, have rallied around Vice President Harris in the 2024 race, with the notable exception of the Teamsters, who have expressed some favorable sentiments toward Trump. However, no major labor organization has formally endorsed Trump, highlighting a growing divide between labor leaders and the former president.

In addition to the complaint, the UAW recently released an advertisement targeting Trump, branding him as anti-worker and misleading concerning working-class matters. This ad campaign reflects the union’s strategy to mobilize support for pro-labor candidates and to emphasize their stance against Trump’s policies.

Following the UAW’s accusations, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed Fain’s remarks, labeling him “a puppet for the Democrat Party.” Leavitt asserted that Fain does not represent the millions of working union laborers across America, claiming they support Trump because they believe he will safeguard their jobs and prioritize their needs.

The situation highlights the intensifying battle between labor unions and former President Trump as the 2024 election approaches. The UAW’s criticism of Trump not only underscores their commitment to representing working-class interests but also signals a broader alignment of unions with Democratic candidates in the current political climate.

As the UAW continues to increase its influence in the lead-up to November, the conflict with Trump may further galvanize union members and labor advocates, as they navigate the complexities of labor rights, political endorsements, and the future of the American workforce.