MSNBC recently conducted a focus group with Michigan union workers to gauge their opinions ahead of the 2024 election. What started as an attempt to steer the conversation toward criticisms of President Donald Trump and support for Kamala Harris quickly unraveled, as the union workers focused on their own concerns—primarily the economy and immigration.
Host Alex Wagner appeared intent on addressing topics like January 6, hoping it would resonate with the workers. However, the group remained largely indifferent to the event, instead emphasizing their dissatisfaction with how the current administration is handling border security. One union worker commented, “There are thousands of illegal immigrants coming across the border, and the Vice President has done minimal work to fix that.”
The focus group highlighted a growing disconnect between mainstream media narratives and the issues that matter most to working-class Americans. While Democrats and media outlets continue to focus on legal challenges surrounding Trump, the union members in Michigan were more concerned about pocketbook issues. Economic stability and job security were mentioned repeatedly as key factors in their voting decisions.
These revelations come at a critical time for Kamala Harris, who needs to capture Michigan to secure victory in November. The workers’ frustration with the administration’s lack of action on immigration and the economy suggests that Trump still holds strong support among this demographic, despite media attempts to push different narratives.
The session also revealed that many union workers are less concerned about the January 6 protests than about how the current administration’s policies are affecting their livelihoods. As the election approaches, the Harris campaign may find it difficult to sway these voters, whose priorities lie elsewhere.
