President Trump eyes Michigan visit ahead of primary election

Craig Mauger, The Detroit News on Jul 17, 2026

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LANSING, Mich. — President Donald Trump is expected to campaign in Michigan ahead of the state's Aug. 4 primary election, according to three sources with knowledge of the Republican leader's plans.

The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the president's travel publicly. They said the tentative date scheduled for the Michigan event was July 27, eight days before the primary and the day the new Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to open to traffic over the Detroit River..

Trump has endorsed the agreement with the Canadian government that led to the bridge's planned opening.

"I was able to cut a MUCH BETTER DEAL for America, and by so doing, will be allowing the new and spectacular Gordie Howe International Bridge, spanning Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, to open on July 27th, as scheduled," Trump wrote in a social media post.

Two sources said Trump's Michigan visit might take place in or near the battleground 7th U.S. House District, where Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, is running for reelection after first winning the seat in 2024.

The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.

Michigan's primary election has been in the national spotlight partly because of a contested Democratic race for the U.S. Senate nomination between U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham and former Wayne County health official Abdul El-Sayed of Ann Arbor.

The winner of the Aug. 4 primary will take on Trump-endorsed former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of White Lake Township in the general election.

Trump previously endorsed U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township to be Michigan's next governor. He has two Republican opponents in the primary: former Attorney General Mike Cox of Livonia and businessman Perry Johnson of Bloomfield Hills.

During an appearance on WKAR's "Off The Record" show on Friday, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said Trump is "going to be very active in campaigning" in the midterm election.

Hall said he knew Trump planned to visit Michigan at some point before Election Day in November.

"And we'll see many more visits from the cabinet officials, as well," Hall said.

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