White House denies Biden visit to Michigan prompted by Trump's own trip

The White House denied on Monday that President Joe Biden's planned Tuesday trip to Michigan was in any way motivated by former President Donald Trump's expected visit the following day.

Biden plans to march with striking auto workers on the picket line Tuesday as the United Auto Workers union pushes for wage hikes and the restoration of pensions at major manufacturers. Trump plans to visit Michigan on Wednesday to address union workers in place of attending the second Republican primary debate.

Trump announced his plans prior to Biden and his campaign has accused the president of solely travelling to Michigan to pre-empt his Republican rival. Pressed on the veracity of the claim Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters "[a]bsolutely not. This is a decision to visit the picket line and it was based off his own desire. This is what the president wanted to do, to stand with auto workers."

The White House declined to endorse specific terms on behalf of the striking laborers, insisting that they "deserve a fair share" but that both parties would negotiate the details without presidential input.

"That is for them to decide," Jean-Pierre said.

A senior Trump campaign advisor last week responded to Biden's planned trip, insisting that Trump had forced the excursion with his own planned visit.

"Joe Biden’s trip to Michigan is nothing more than a cheap photo op as he finds himself between a rock and a political hard place," Trump campaign Senior Advisor Jason Miller said last week. "The only reason Biden is going to Michigan on Tuesday is because President Trump announced he is going on Wednesday. If President Trump had said nothing, Biden would be giving UAW workers in Michigan 'the East Palestine treatment.'"

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.