"Skyscrapers went up in Beijing while factories and neighborhoods crum
The last time GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump left a lasting impression in Detroit was in March during the slugfest Republican debate at the Fox Theatre in which the size of his hands was a big subject of discussion.
On Monday, he came to speak at the Detroit Economic Club at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit to deliver a key speech on economic policy before a nearly all-white crowd of more than 1,500 in a predominately black city, hoping to change the direction of his campaign that has been mired of late in side shows unrelated to core policy issues.
Donald Trump: "Skyscrapers went up in Beijing while factories and neighborhoods crumbled right here in Detroit." (Deadline Detroit photo)
Trump used Detroit as a prop of what ails America, citing high unemployment and crime, which he blamed on the failing policies of Democratic rule . He later said Detroit is waiting for Hillary Clinton's apology.
“The city of Detroit is where our story begins. Detroit was once the economic envy of the world,” he told the receptive crowd. The people of Detroit helped to power America to its position of global dominance in the 20th Century. When we were governed by the America first policy, Detroit was absolutely booming … But for many living in this city, that dream has long ago vanished."
Hear the full speech below.
"When we abandoned the policy of America first, we started rebuilding other countries instead of our own. The skyscrapers went up in Beijing and many other cities around the world while the factories and neighborhoods crumbled right here in Detroit.”
"So many of our cities are suffering greatly," he said.
Meanwhile, protestors outside of Cobo Center chanted "hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go." (See video above)
Addressing his economic plan, he talked about reducing the number of income tax brackets from seven to three, and eliminating income taxes for individuals who earn less than $25,000 or $50,000 for married couples.
Trump, who was introduced by his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, paused at times while security removed protesters, who shouted remarks to disrupt the speech. The audience cheered when they were removed. Those ejected include Rashida Tlaib, a former state representative from Southwest Detroit.
Interestingly, some of those protesters were among the few people of color in the audience.
Trump also vowed to kill the "disastrous" Obamacare and to make Detroit come "roaring back. We will offer a new future."
He says the country under Hillary Clinton would only mean "four more years of weakness and President Obama."
“She is the candidate of the past,” Trump said. “Ours is the campaign of the future. Our opposition has long ago run out of ideas. . . Americanism, not globalism, will be our new credo."
Trump also calls for an end to the estate tax and a 15 percent cap on business income tax.
He vows to do away with business regulations he says are costing jobs.
