In a move that underscores the pivotal role of Michigan in the 2024 presidential election, former President Donald Trump has announced he will conclude his campaign with a rally in Grand Rapids, the same city where he ended his 2016 and 2020 bids. This decision highlights the strategic importance of the swing state to Trump’s hopes of returning to the White House.
The Trump campaign has confirmed that the event will take place at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on November 5, 2024. Doors will open to supporters at 6:30 p.m., with Trump scheduled to address the crowd at 10:30 p.m. This will be the third time Trump has chosen a late-night rally in Grand Rapids to mark the end of his campaign, further emphasizing the significance of Michigan to his electoral strategy.
Trump’s decision to hold a late-night rally in Grand Rapids is a testament to the city’s enthusiastic support for the former president. In 2016, he narrowly won the state over Hillary Clinton, but lost Michigan to Joe Biden in 2020. Despite the close margins in both elections, Grand Rapids has consistently been a key area of support for Trump.
The choice of Grand Rapids as the location for Trump’s final rally also holds a symbolic significance. The city is situated within Kent County, a historically Republican stronghold that has experienced a shift toward Democrats in recent years. Trump won the county by three points in 2016 but lost it to Biden by six points in 2020. This swing in voter sentiment underscores the importance of the county in the upcoming election.
Michigan is considered a toss-up state in the 2024 election, with polls showing a tight race between Trump and his Democratic opponent. The Real Clear Politics polling average gives the Democratic candidate a slight 0.6 point lead as of Sunday, while betting odds favor the Democrat with a 59.7% chance to win the state. This competitive atmosphere has made Michigan a key target for both campaigns.
Team Trump Michigan communications director Victoria LaCivita emphasized the significance of the state in Trump’s re-election bid, stating, “Michiganders love a late night rally, and President Trump loves Michigan. From the beginning, Team Trump has known that the path to the White House runs directly through Michigan, so there’s no better place to conclude a historic and momentous campaign season.”
