- Trump seeks Teamsters' endorsement against Biden.
- Emphasizes support, focusing on trade and immigration.
- Teamsters undecided; members split on Trump and Biden.
The meeting followed Trump's recent loss of endorsement from the United Auto Workers, a setback that triggered an irate response from the former president. Unions in the U.S. have been gaining prominence, and the Teamsters, with their significant influence and success in securing contracts, are a key target for Trump.
After the meeting, Trump, 77, expressed uncertainty about securing the Teamsters' endorsement, as the union had supported Biden in the 2020 election. Nevertheless, he asserted strong backing from the union's members, citing his promises to impose tariffs on Chinese goods and control illegal immigration.
"I've dealt with unions my whole life, I have a great relationship with unions," Trump stated. "We had a very good discussion."
The Teamsters have not made any official endorsement announcement yet. Sean O'Brien, the Teamsters president, described the meeting as "pleasant" and "direct." He emphasized that questions remained for both Trump and Biden, and a decision on an endorsement was still pending.
Two hours before the scheduled meeting, the Trump campaign released a list of pledges, claiming that U.S. workers would benefit from his policies. O'Brien mentioned that there was support for both Trump and Biden among the rank-and-file members of the union.
The Biden campaign responded to Trump's meeting by stating, "the President looks forward to meeting with the Teamsters and earning their endorsement." Biden, self-proclaimed as the most pro-union president in history, secured the Teamsters' endorsement in 2020.
In a parallel development, Biden received an endorsement from the United Auto Workers last week, another influential labor group in the Midwest. UAW President Shawn Fain praised Biden's history of serving the working class, contrasting it with Trump, whom he labeled as standing against their values.
Trump, in response, expressed his displeasure on his Truth Social platform, calling Fain a "stiff" and a "dope," urging auto workers to vote for him in November. As the presidential race intensifies, both candidates are actively courting union support, recognizing its crucial role in key battleground states.
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