STORY: U.S. President Donald Trump held a campaign-style rally in Michigan on Tuesday to celebrate his first 100 days in office — in a speech frequently targeting Democrats and touting what he said were a series of economic victories.
“And this is the best, they say 100 day start of any president in history. And everyone is saying it. We’ve just gotten started. You haven’t even seen anything yet. It’s all just kicking off.”
Despite recent polling showing dwindling confidence in Trump’s economic vision, Trump cast his steep tariffs on China and other trading partners as a lifeline for places like Michigan and said they could lead to a resurgence in domestic manufacturing.
“They all want to come back to Michigan and build cars again. You know why? Because of our tax and tariff policy.”
“You finally have a champion for workers in the White House and instead of putting China first, I’m putting Michigan first and I’m putting America first.”
At one point, Trump paused to show supporters video of alleged gang members deported by his administration being put in prison, to cheers from the crowd.
He also forcefully attacked Democrats, repeatedly mocked his predecessor Joe Biden, and renewed his criticisms of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
“Interest rates came down, despite the fact that I have a Fed person who’s not really doing a good job. But I won’t say that. I want to be very nice. I want to be very nice and respectful to the Fed. You’re not supposed to criticize the Fed. You’re supposed to let him do his own thing. But I know much more than he does about interest rates, believe me.”
Polls show Americans have cooled on aspects of Trump’s performance in recent weeks.
In a three-day Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Sunday, 42% of respondents approved of Trump’s performance so far, while 53% disapproved.
That’s down from 47% approval in the Reuters/Ipsos poll in January.
Just 36% of respondents approved of Trump’s economic stewardship, the lowest level in his current or prior term.