LORDSTOWN, Ohio — President Donald Trump went on a Twitter tirade Friday morning against General Motors to open their “stupidly abandoned Lordstown plant in Ohio,” which, apparently unbeknownst to the president, GM no longer owns.
General Motors MUST immediately open their stupidly abandoned Lordstown plant in Ohio, or some other plant, and START MAKING VENTILATORS, NOW!!!!!! FORD, GET GOING ON VENTILATORS, FAST!!!!!! @GeneralMotors @Ford
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
“General Motors MUST immediately open their stupidly abandoned Lordstown plant in Ohio, or some other plant, and START MAKING VENTILATORS, NOW!!!!!!,” Trump tweeted.
The president must not remember the sale, despite the fact that he tweeted about it when it was first being discussed by General Motors and Workhorse last May.
GREAT NEWS FOR OHIO! Just spoke to Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, who informed me that, subject to a UAW agreement etc., GM will be selling their beautiful Lordstown Plant to Workhorse, where they plan to build Electric Trucks. GM will also be spending $700,000,000 in Ohio...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2019
In November 2019, General Motors finalized the sale of the plant to Lordstown Motors Corp, which according to The Verge, Workhorse owns a 10% stake in. Lordstown Motors Corp is an electric vehicle company that manufactures a pickup truck called the "Endurance."
RELATED: General Motors announces sale of Lordstown plant to electric truck company
General Motors MUST immediately open their stupidly abandoned Lordstown plant in Ohio, or some other plant, and START MAKING VENTILATORS, NOW!!!!!! FORD, GET GOING ON VENTILATORS, FAST!!!!!! @GeneralMotors @Ford
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
General Motors said it is already partnering with Ventec Life Systems to make respiratory products.
We are working with Ventec Life Systems to rapidly scale production of important respiratory products to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more here: https://t.co/wcvbftKw8C
— General Motors (@GM) March 21, 2020
The president also took aim at Ford. “FORD, GET GOING ON VENTILATORS, FAST!!!!!”
And just like General Motors, Ford is already producing medical equipment and supplies.
We’re proud to work with @3M, @GEHealthcare and @UAW to lend our engineering and manufacturing expertise to quickly expand production of urgently needed medical equipment and supplies for healthcare workers, first responders and patients fighting #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/fzMMDjgVmS
— Ford Motor Company (@Ford) March 24, 2020
Congressman Tim Ryan, who represents the state's 13 Congressional District and the Lordstown area, was quick to respond and called Trump out for the tweet.
"Please stop blaming others and be the leader this country needs right now," Ryan tweeted.
We agree.
— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) March 27, 2020
Leaders lead. You can activate the Defense Production Act today and take over the supply chain. Please stop blaming others and be the leader this country needs right now.
The only thing standing in your way, Mr. President, is you! https://t.co/tOXWWX1r4S
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