NOVI (WWJ) - Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to return to Michigan at the end of next month, officials for the Oakland County Republican Party announced on Wednesday.
WWJ's Mike Campbell said the Oakland County Republican Party revealed in an email that Trump would be their keynote speaker for its Lincoln Day Dinner at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi on June 25th.
"'Save the date for a once in a lifetime opportunity,'" Campbell said. "That's how the Oakland County Republican Party projects their announcement of President Donald Trump returning [to Michigan]."
Trump previously spoke at the county GOP's Lincoln Day Dinner in 2013. The event drew a crowd of just under 2,500 attendees.
Officials said the hope Trump's appearance will help them raise money for their field work in the upcoming 2024 election.
According to Oakland County Republican Party's executive director, Amber Harris, the county used to be strongly Republican, but in the last couple of years, its gone the other way, Campbell explained.
"Joe Biden won Oakland County by 14% over Donald Trump," Campbell added. "[Harris] says this will help get Oakland County back on track."
"He is still very popular amongst a lot of people in Michigan," Amber said.
Meshawn Maddock, former co-chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party, said she worked to get Trump to speak at the event. His last appearance in the state came on Oct. 1, 2022, when he visited Macomb County to campaign for the Republican nominees for governor, attorney general and secretary of state.
"...I am thrilled to welcome the president back to Michigan," Maddock said.
Trump is also scheduled meet with voters at a smaller gathering in Farmington Hills.
"President Trump's unparalleled leadership, unwavering dedication to conservative values, and relentless pursuit of American greatness have left an indelible mark on our country and the world," the email from the county GOP added.
In April, Trump became the first president – former or current – to to be criminally prosecuted. According to a 34-count felony indictment, prosecutors claim Trump tried to illegally influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election by making "hush money payments" to two women to claimed to have sexual encounters with the former president.
Trump said he was "completely innocent" and implied that he would not withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
