When Teamsters President Sean O’Brien extolled Donald Trump as “one tough S.O.B.” at the Republican National Convention on Monday, it was a rare moment of praise from a labor leader that energized Trump’s supporters and drew enthusiastic cheers.
Yet, O’Brien’s address was more than just a compliment; it was a striking display of the ideological clash between the GOP’s new populist direction and its traditional business-oriented roots. As the first Teamsters leader ever to speak at a Republican convention, O’Brien used the spotlight to outline both a challenge and an opportunity for the party.
Trump with his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance
The speech was a clear signal that the Teamsters’ 1.3 million members might be open to backing Trump for the presidency, hinting at the possibility of an official endorsement. O’Brien’s remarks also served as a call to action for union members and a sharp critique of corporate greed, a theme at odds with the financial backers of the Republican Party who have long supported free-market policies.
“It’s only through collective action in democratic unions that workers can achieve real gains in wages, benefits, and working conditions,” O’Brien declared, taking aim at major corporations like Amazon, private equity firms, and influential business organizations such as the US Chamber of Commerce. “Corporations are the biggest recipients of welfare in this country, and this is a form of corruption. Workers must be our priority.”
O’Brien recalled the Teamsters’ past endorsements of Republican presidents like Nixon, Reagan, and Bush, but pointed out that the party has largely shunned strong ties with organized labor over the past four decades. “There are elements within the party that actively oppose labor unions, and that must change,” he argued.
Despite O’Brien’s fervent call for reform, his speech met with mixed reactions from the Republican ranks. Some delegates viewed his criticisms of corporate practices and calls for increased union influence as uncomfortable, even as they acknowledged the need for a broader appeal to voters.
Michigan Republican Party Chair Pete Hoekstra admitted that some of O’Brien’s comments made him uneasy, but he emphasized that the overall message about supporting American businesses resonated. “The discussion about keeping businesses in America is important, even if there were parts of the speech that made me cringe,” Hoekstra said.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s campaign remains dismissive of Trump’s overtures to labor unions. Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, highlighted Biden’s endorsement by over 30 unions and his historic walk on a picket line with the United Auto Workers.
She criticized Trump for his judicial appointments and labor-relations decisions that she claimed undermined union interests during his presidency. “The idea that Donald Trump cares about workers is a farce,” Rodriguez stated. “His focus has always been on himself and his corporate donors.”
With only about 10% of American workers in unions as of 2023, the labor movement’s influence remains a fraction of its former self. Nevertheless, O’Brien’s praise for Trump and the Teamsters’ potential shift towards supporting the Republican candidate reflect a complicated and evolving political landscape.
In an endorsement, Harold Daggett, president of the International Longshoremen’s Association, urged his members to support Trump following the recent assassination attempt, citing Trump’s promises to fight against automation and “Right to Work” laws.
As the GOP looked into these labor issues, Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, a former private equity executive, argued that the party’s big-tent approach means it does not need to choose sides in the union-versus-corporation debate. “Our party aims to be inclusive, without necessarily taking sides in every labor conflict,” Hagerty explained.
Despite the complications of this political moment, Republicans remain optimistic that Trump’s appeal will grow among union members, regardless of formal endorsements. “The rank and file’s support for us has been growing, and we believe it will continue,” Hagerty concluded.
