One of the last industrial anchors in what was once Ohio's manufacturing core is on life support, a little over a year after President Trump told people not to leave and promised jobs would return.
General Motors announced Monday it will stop production of the Chevy Cruze at its Lordstown plant and consider closing it for good. At a rally near the plant last year, Trump talked about passing by big factories whose jobs "have left Ohio," then told people not to sell their homes because the jobs are "coming back. They're all coming back." Trump says his administration and lawmakers are exerting pressure on the company. Trump says GM needs to "get a car that is selling well and put it back" into Lordstown. State leaders have issued angry statements about the GM decision. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.
Outgoing governor John Kasich says he’ll work with GM’s leaders to see if anything can be done to save the plant and if not, he says the estimated 2500 employees will be directed to a center that will help them find new work. Incoming governor Mike DeWine says he plans to attend the Detroit Auto Show in January to make an in person case to GM about the importance of keeping that plant operating. Republican U.S.Senator Rob Portman says he’s frustrated with the decision, especially after urging GM leaders to provide new opportunities for Lordstown workers. Democratic U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown blasted GM…calling it corporate greed…for closing the plant while taking advantage of new massive tax breaks.