With over 400,000 members, UAW’s endorsement solidifies Biden’s support in key battleground state, while Trump faces backlash from union leaders.

In a key development for President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign, the United Auto Workers (UAW) officially endorsed Biden on January 24, 2024, while delivering a sharp condemnation of his rival, former President Donald Trump. The union’s backing is particularly significant as Michigan—home to the UAW—is a crucial swing state, and Biden’s support there could be pivotal for his victory.

UAW President Shawn Fain emphasized the importance of the upcoming election, stating, “Elections aren’t about just taking your best friend for the job or the candidate who makes you feel good. Elections are about power.” He expressed that the UAW’s support for Biden stems from the president’s commitment to workers’ rights and his stance against corporate interests.

Fain, who previously supported Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016, did not hold back in his criticism of Trump. He called the former president a “scab,” accusing him of siding with billionaires over the working class, particularly during the 2019 UAW strike against major auto manufacturers.

In response, Biden expressed his gratitude for the union’s endorsement and lauded the UAW for its successful strike. He reaffirmed his dedication to labor rights, saying, “Wall Street didn’t build America, the middle class built America, and unions built the middle class.”

As the race for the White House heats up, the UAW’s endorsement strengthens Biden’s position, particularly in Michigan, which he won by a substantial margin in 2020 but was narrowly defeated in by Trump in 2016. The endorsement sets the stage for a highly contentious showdown between Biden and Trump in the months leading up to the election.