DETROIT — Former President Donald Trump is always full of surprises. He’s known for improvising and often going off-script from his teleprompter.

His speech on Thursday at the Detroit Economic Club, which I was present for, reflected this style. What could have easily been a concise 30-minute talk on automotive policy turned into a two-hour discourse that touched upon numerous topics.

However, the audience of around 1,000 attendees, composed mainly of business and community leaders, thoroughly enjoyed his remarks, telling me so afterward.

The crowd responded positively, applauding frequently and laughing at Trump’s humor. They valued his messages on safeguarding American jobs and establishing fair trade practices, all while advocating for lower taxes and fewer regulations.

This response, however, was not reflected accurately in the media reports about the event.

If you rely solely on mainstream news outlets—which often have a strong bias against Trump—you might perceive his speeches as simply a series of insults and false claims, painting a grim outlook for the nation if he isn’t elected.

In reality, he offers much more, as evidenced by his Detroit speech where he engaged with his audience on issues that matter to them.

For Michigan, a pivotal state in the upcoming election, key concerns include the economy and the future of the automotive industry.

Did Trump insult Detroit? The headlines miss the larger message.

Following the event, much of the media focused intensely on one remark he made, suggesting that if Vice President Kamala Harris were to win, it would be detrimental.

“It will be like Detroit. Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she becomes president,” Trump stated. “You’re going to have a mess on your hands.”

This statement was interpreted as a slight against Detroit and its residents, who are often sensitive to outside criticism, and Democrats responded with exaggerated outrage.

However, in context, Trump was making a broader argument, as explained by John Rakolta Jr., the chairman of the Detroit-based Walbridge construction firm and former United States ambassador to the UAE, who spoke with me after the event.

Rakolta, who introduced Trump and participated in a Q&A following the speech, noted that Trump was referring to Detroit’s well-documented fiscal challenges and its historic bankruptcy in 2013. Throughout his remarks, Trump highlighted the $35 trillion national debt and the almost $2 trillion deficit, cautioning that Harris’ policies could worsen the nation’s financial situation.

Rakolta pointed out that Trump’s message resonated with not only business leaders but also union workers, a vital voting demographic in Michigan. While Harris struggles to connect with union supporters, Trump is gaining popularity among working-class voters.

This is largely due to his focus on the issues that matter most to them.

Trump is gaining momentum in key battleground states, leading in Michigan

A recent Quinnipiac University Poll released just before Trump’s Detroit speech indicates that he is narrowing the gap in the traditionally Democratic states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, with Harris and Trump essentially tied. In Michigan, Trump is ahead of Harris by 50% to 47%, showing that his support has increased over the past month as Harris’s post-debate gains appear to be diminishing.

Across all seven key battleground states, Trump holds a slight edge except in Wisconsin.

Considering the priorities that matter most to voters, it’s clear why Trump has seen an uptick in support.

A recent Quinnipiac poll indicates that Michigan voters believe Trump performs better on economic matters, with a margin of 53%-45%. Similarly, in terms of immigration issues, 53% favor Trump over Harris, who received 44% support.

Trump also has the upper hand when it comes to electric vehicles, a significant issue for autoworkers. A majority of likely voters in Michigan, 57%, do not support governmental incentives that encourage the purchase of electric vehicles, compared to 34% who do. Trump’s campaign has strongly criticized these incentives and any mandates related to EVs, as evidenced by his recent speech in Detroit.

In her numerous policy reversals, Harris is attempting to present herself as someone opposed to imposing EV mandates, despite the fact that the Biden-Harris administration has been advocating for them.

Although Trump’s opponents may focus on his unconventional style and showmanship, there is a compelling reason why his messages resonate with the electorate.

This leads me to believe that he will win in Michigan.