Trump claims children could do the jobs of auto plant workers, Internet says ‘the man has no clue’

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: It's no secret that Donald Trump has a knack for making headlines with his off-the-cuff remarks, but his recent comments at the Economic Club of Chicago may have backfired on him.

During a speech that was meant to focus on economic policies, the 78-year-old former president made a bizarre statement that left many scratching their heads. He suggested that children could do the job of auto plant workers.

Did Donald Trump belittle auto workers?

While discussing international car companies and their manufacturing practices, Donald Trump appeared to downplay the skill and effort involved in assembling vehicles. He described how foreign car companies — like Mercedes Benz — supposedly ship parts to the United States, where American workers only have to “take them out of a box” and put them together.

Trump added, “We could have our child doing it,” before a moderator stepped in to cut him off and move things along.

But the damage was already done. Trump's words quickly made waves, with critics noting how it made light of the work done by auto workers. It didn’t take long for clips of the moment to go viral online, especially as Trump’s critics pounced on the opportunity to call out his remarks.

Amid his controversial comments, Trump also spoke of tariffs. He’s been a long-time fan of them, and he vowed to ramp up tariffs on auto manufacturers that don’t produce their vehicles entirely in the United States.

His argument? By making it more expensive to import car parts, companies like Mercedes Benz would be pushed to build more factories in the US, hire more American workers, and assemble cars right here on American soil.

“We have deficits that are crazy,” Trump said, before promising, “We’re not going to have many more. We’re going to put tariffs on them and they’re going to do—and you know what they can do? Mercedes Benz will start building in the United States.”

But as much as Trump likes the idea, not everyone is convinced. Economists often warn that tariffs can drive up the cost of goods, which means higher prices for everyday consumers. That hasn’t stopped Trump from sticking to his guns on the issue though, the Daily Beast reported.

Kamala Harris’ campaign and UAW fire back at Donald Trump's comments

It didn’t take long for Donald Trump’s opponents to seize on his comments. Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign jumped in quickly, posting clips of his remarks and suggesting that Trump was belittling the hard work of auto manufacturing employees.

That said, the Harris camp wasn’t the only group taking issue with Trump’s words.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union — which represents thousands of workers in Michigan and beyond — was also quick to respond. The UAW’s X account blasted Trump’s remarks. 

“Donald Trump just insulted every American autoworker, saying that ‘a child could do it.’ UAW autoworkers: Do you think Donald Trump could do your job?” they posted.

This wasn’t Trump’s first run-in with the auto industry. In August, the UAW filed federal labor charges against Trump and Elon Musk, accusing them of making comments that discouraged workers from striking or organizing.

UAW president Shawn Fain wasn’t shy about expressing his feelings, either. “When we say Donald Trump is a scab, this is what we mean,” he said in a press release.

“When we say Trump stands against everything our union stands for, this is what we mean.”

Internet slams Donald Trump for remark on auto plant workers

Donald Trump's critics on social media also wasted no time in calling him out for his remarks on the job of auto plant workers. Many accused the former president of being out of touch with what it takes to do the job of an auto worker.

"This is what he thinks about our manufacturing workers. He doesn't care about you. He doesn't care about America. He is only concerned with making money and staying out of prison. One last time; He. Doesn't. Care. About. You!" one posted on X.

"The man has no clue as to what an honest day of work actually is," a second user added.

"He could NOT do the job of an autoworker, or a multitude of other jobs. He doesn’t have the mental capacity, any experience with physical labor, and we should never forget his terribly difficult battle with bone spurs!!" another fumed.

"Yeah, congrats, Donnie. You just told the entire auto industry their job is so easy, a toddler could do it. Real smooth move. What’s next? Gonna tell firefighters, 'Hey, a garden hose is easy. I could do that with Barron’s squirt gun?'" Man's never held a wrench in his life, but he’s out here telling people who build actual cars their job’s like assembling a LEGO set. I’d love to see this walking Cheeto try to change a tire without calling for Secret Service," said an individual.

"Hey, genius! Real smart move talking trash about your potential voters. They’re gonna love hearing that! And now the GOP is pushing for child labor too? That’s just brilliant!" a comment read.

"Donald Trump really doesn't want to win," another offered.

Trump’s comments might not sit well with voters in Michigan, a critical swing state where auto manufacturing is a big part of the economy. As of 2021, over 41,500 people worked in vehicle manufacturing there, so it’s not the kind of place where people take lightly to the idea that their jobs are easy enough for even children to handle.

And it doesn’t help that just last week, Trump bashed Detroit while campaigning in the city. “Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if [Kamala Harris] is your president. You’re going to have a mess on your hands," he said.

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.