Internet labels Donald Trump 'fake' as reports allege ex-president's campaign paid $20K to fabricate Union rally

Donald Trump allegedly paid demonstrators to prop up support at his Union Auto Workers' strike event hosted in Michigan last year
Donald Trump allegedly paid demonstrators to prop up support at his Union Auto Workers' strike event hosted in Michigan, in September of last year (Getty Images)
Donald Trump allegedly paid demonstrators to prop up support at his Union Auto Workers' strike event hosted in Michigan, in September of last year (Getty Images)

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: In September of last year, President Joe Biden made history by becoming the first US President to join a picket line with the United Auto Workers (UAW).

This move was perceived as a significant gesture of solidarity with the auto workers, especially given that Michigan is a critical state for both presidential campaigns.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by President Joe Biden (@potus)


 

During the auto workers' strike in the Great Lakes State, Biden reiterated his support for the workers, which resulted in the UAW endorsing him later on.

On the other hand, former President Donald Trump's response was lackluster, and his campaign resorted to using money and stagecraft to create an illusion of substance without offering any real help.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Team Trump (@teamtrump)


 

This pattern of manipulative behavior was evident in his handling of the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, where he arrived for a photo op, handed out expired water bottles from one of his resorts, and had a few pallets of Goya beans flown in from a friend.

Recent filings from his PAC with the Federal Election Commission indicate that he employed a similar strategy during the auto workers' strike.

Is Donald Trump being accused of propping up fake support?

The Trump campaign reportedly contracted Drake Enterprises, a non-union automotive parts store located in Clinton Township, to fabricate a staged event, for which they subsequently paid $20,000, per a report by MeidasTouch Network.

The event aimed to project the illusion that the former President was holding a rally with unionized auto workers on strike, with participants holding aloft signs reading "Union Members for Trump."


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Team Trump (@teamtrump)


 

During the course of the rally, the 77-year-old GOP presidential frontrunner asserted that the American auto industry would migrate to China if he was not elected come the November general elections.

However, reporters who interviewed attendees at the rally discovered that hardly any of those holding signs were union members.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Team Trump (@teamtrump)


 

They had merely been instructed to hold the signs behind the former President while he delivered his speech.

Some participants interviewed reported that they did not observe any striking workers in attendance.

It has now come to light that the Trump campaign orchestrated the entire event as a paid, staged production.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Team Trump (@teamtrump)


 

On Friday, February 2, a Democratic congressman responded to claims that the ex-president had paid roughly $20,000 to hold a fake union demonstration at a non-unionized workplace, accusing Trump of being a fraud.

Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.) was responding to a story reported by former prosecutor Ron Filipkowski, who claimed that the former president's campaign spent "$20k to fake a union rally."

According to a report by RawStory, Goldman responded to the report, explaining to his supporters just what this implies for the former president.



 

"Trump paid non-union workers to pose as union members in Michigan during the UAW strike," he wrote on X and added, "Trump is a fraud."

The Democrat representing the 10th congressional district of New York added, "He’s anti-union, anti-worker, and anti-labor. Don’t be fooled by his talk. Look at his actions. He just cares about himself and his cronies."

Internet slams Donald Trump for paying people to play pretend at fake event

People on X mocked the former President for manipulating people into believing that he backed the auto workers' strike last year when in reality, he was paying people to turn up with signs at his fake event in order to garner support for his presidential bid.



 

One X user remarked, "Everything is fake with Trump. Fake wives. Fake electors. Fake supporters. Fake university. Fake tax returns. Fake votes."



 

"100% projection 100% of the time," another user said.



 

Another user wrote, "Trump paid $20k to stage a rally of fake striking union auto workers. Unsurprised and still stunned. Nothing Trump does is real or on the up and up."



 

"Believable since everything - *everything* - Trump does is a gift," one user stated.



 

Another X user quipped, "Since all of his campaign money is going towards his legal costs, where did he come up with $20k?"



 

One user tweeted, "There is no low, too low for the Orange Turd."



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Donald Trump targeted Ilhan Omar at a Florida rally, reviving a disputed personal claim while criticizing Democratic leaders and policies
4 minutes ago
'The security perimeter worked exactly like it was supposed to work. But that's why we have layers of security built in', Mullin said
5 hours ago
The warning came amid rising concerns over access to the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but essential route for global energy shipments
6 hours ago
Gavin Newsom wrote that Rogan was avoiding inviting him as he'd 'crush him', adding, 'All talk, no action. I am ready when you are, or keep hiding'
7 hours ago
Ex-Rep Cherfilus-McCormick barred from federal funds over alleged campaign diversion
8 hours ago
'There are options. Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever? Or do we want to try and make a deal', Trump said
8 hours ago
'We're always in touch with Congress, but nobody's ever sought it before. Nobody's ever asked for it before', Trump said
8 hours ago
US targets 3 Iranian exchanges, 15 fronts over alleged laundering for military
9 hours ago
'It is fully understood and agreed that, if they produce (automakers) cars and trucks in the USA Plants, there will be no tariff', Trump wrote
9 hours ago
Trump rejected partial peace offers and maintained a naval blockade to secure final nuclear guarantees after strikes weakened Tehran's leadership
9 hours ago