Trump touts ‘most successful first 100 days of any administration’ during Michigan rally
President Trump holds rally to mark first 100 days
President Donald Trump held a rally in Macomb County, Michigan Tuesday to mark the first 100 days of his second term. "In 100 days, we have delivered the most profound change in Washington in nearly 100 years... We're ushering out the long reign of the special interests and the Radical Left lunatics, and we are ushering in the Golden Age of America," shared Trump during his speech.
WARREN, Mich. - President Donald Trump returned to the campaign stage Tuesday in Warren, Michigan, using the 100th day of his second term to rally supporters with a familiar mix of brash confidence and political grievances.
The event, held in a key battleground state struggling with the fallout from his trade policies, focused more on Trump’s signature issues and long-held grudges than on the road ahead.
From mocking Biden’s appearance to invoking mass deportations, the speech offered a window into Trump’s approach to his second term—and his persistent combative tone.
What did Trump say in his 100-day speech?
Trump used his 90-minute speech to defend his administration’s aggressive deportation policies, claiming a drop in illegal border crossings as a measure of success. He declared it his "solemn duty" to remove undocumented immigrants, punctuating his remarks by showing a prison video of alleged gang members being detained in El Salvador.
"Removing the invaders is not just a campaign pledge," Trump said in his 90-minute speech. "It's my solemn duty as commander-in-chief. I have an obligation to save our country."
He also declared his first 100 days to be the "most successful" of any administration and claimed, "You haven’t even seen anything yet."
How is Michigan reacting to Trump’s trade policies?
Local perspective:
Michigan has borne the brunt of Trump’s latest tariffs, with automaker Stellantis temporarily laying off 900 U.S. employees after new levies on imported vehicles. Industry groups have warned the administration that further tariffs on auto parts could result in bankruptcies and even more job losses.
Despite this, Trump defended his economic agenda and announced a slight softening of car tariffs via executive order earlier Tuesday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent framed the move as a long-term play to bring more domestic manufacturing jobs.
"We’re here tonight in the heartland of our nation to celebrate the most successful first 100 days of any administration in the history of our country," Trump said, standing before large electronic screens reading "100 Day of Greatness." He later added: "We’ve just gotten started. You haven’t even seen anything yet."
"After a lifetime of unelected bureaucrats stealing your paychecks, attacking your values and trampling your freedoms, we are stopping their gravy train, ending their power trip and telling thousands of corrupt, incompetent and unnecessary deep state bureaucrats, ‘You’re fired!'" Trump said.
How is Trump’s approval holding up?
By the numbers:
- Roughly 4 in 10 Americans approve of Trump’s overall job performance.
- 46% support his immigration policies, but about half believe he’s gone too far.
- Only 33% view Elon Musk favorably, with many wary of his influence in government downsizing.
Why is this rally important for 2026?
The backstory:
Trump’s appearance in Michigan comes ahead of a pivotal 2026 midterm election. Republicans are hoping to flip a Senate seat, regain the governor’s office, and make inroads in the state legislature.
US President Donald Trump delivers a speech marking his 100th day in office at Macomb County Community College Sports Expo Center in Warren, Michigan, on April 29, 2025. (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Though term-limited, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer remains a major political force and potential future presidential contender. Earlier the same day, she stood alongside Trump at Selfridge Air National Guard Base to announce a new fighter jet mission—signaling a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation amid the day’s political theater.
What's next:
With midterms on the horizon, Michigan will continue to serve as a bellwether for Trump’s political capital and his party’s future. The state’s economic performance under his policies, especially within the auto industry, may prove decisive in whether Republicans can build on their 2024 gains.
The Source: This article is based on original reporting from the Associated Press. Additional context and quotes were drawn from AP interviews conducted with local rally attendees and recent data on public approval ratings. This story was reported from Los Angeles.