WASHINGTON — President 's decision to join United Auto Workers in Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday was not influenced by former president Donald Trump's planned visit Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
"Absolutely not," Jean-Pierre said when asked at the press briefing Monday. "This decision to visit the picket line was based on his own desire. This is what the president wanted — to stand with autoworkers. That's what you're going to see the president do tomorrow."
Jean-Pierre said Biden is visiting the picket line at the of UAW President Shawn Fain and , though she did not get into details of the ongoing negotiations between the union and automakers.
The UAW, which represents about 146,000 workers across , and , has historically supported Democrats and endorsed Biden in 2020, but it is the only major union that has yet to endorse the president for reelection.
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UAW workers on Friday expanded their strike to 38 parts and distribution locations across 20 states, targeting GM and Stellantis. The union will not initiate additional strikes at , as the company has proven it's "serious about ," Fain said in a Facebook Live comment.
announced last week he would skip the second GOP debate in California and speak with striking UAW members instead.
