CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Former President Donald Trump returned to Michigan Saturday (April 2) for the first time since he lost the 2020 election.
He was scheduled to start speaking at a rally in Washington Township at 7 p.m., where he looks to put his stamp on the state’s midterm election.
Read: Parking, capacity spark concern for Washington Township as big crowds expected for Trump rally
Washington Township is the largest county he carried in the last election. The crowd appeared to be enthusiastic and ready to hear what the former president has to say.
His supporters gathered outside, banged drums and many were dressed in red, white and blue. Inside, they were seen wearing shirts and hats supporting Trump and showing their disapproval of current President Joe Biden.
Trump is giving his backing to many state-level candidates and testing his ability to influence Michigan’s 2022 midterm elections.
He’s already backed political newcomer Kristina Karamo for secretary of state and Matt DePerno for attorney general. Both became known for their efforts to support the completely false claim that the 2020 election was stolen.
Read: Michigan GOP leader: No evidence of fraud that would change election outcome, ‘Biden, Harris won’
Opposition Democrats said the false claims that the election was stolen are dangerous to democracy and should be disqualifying.
The rally comes three weeks ahead of the Republican nominating convention for down-ballot positions. Republican co-chair Meshawn Maddock has already endorsed DePerno and Karamo on her own.
Read: More local political coverage