United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain criticized former President Trump on labor policy Tuesday, accusing him of not caring about the working class. “Donald Trump is all talk, and he’s a master at BS,” Fain remarked during an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes.
He emphasized that Trump showed his disregard for working-class people during his presidency, particularly when he claimed he would revive the auto industry but failed to take action as plants like Lordstown, Ohio, closed.
Fain has become a vocal opponent of Trump, especially as the UAW has taken on a major role in the 2024 election, supporting President Biden initially and later endorsing Vice President Harris.
Trump campaign responds to UAW ad by calling Fain a ‘puppet’ and defending Trump’s appeal to union workers
On the same day, UAW filed a labor complaint against Trump and Elon Musk for their comments about firing striking workers during a live interview on X’s Spaces platform. Trump had suggested that workers who strike could be easily dismissed, which the UAW argued violates federal law that protects striking workers from termination.
In a statement early Wednesday, Fain reiterated his stance by calling Trump a “scab” and asserting that Trump opposes everything the union represents. Labor unions have largely rallied behind Harris in the 2024 race, except the Teamsters, who have shown some support for Trump. No major labor unions have endorsed the former president.
In response to a recent UAW ad criticizing Trump as anti-worker, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt labeled Fain a “puppet for the Democrat Party” and claimed that many union laborers support Trump because they believe he will protect their jobs and prioritize their interests.
