Michigan election officials to investigate Trump event at sheriff’s office

Michigan Elections Bureau plans to investigate legality of Livingston County Sheriff’s Office hosting event for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumpcampaign, he said Angela BenanderSpokesperson for the Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Benander said Thursday the office received two complaints about the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and the sheriff’s Mike Murphyclaiming that Trump’s speech on Tuesday violated state campaign finance law.

“I won’t be able to provide any additional information until they complete their investigation and make a decision on the matter,” Benander said.

Michigan campaign finance law specifically prohibits government entities from using “funds, personnel, office space, computer equipment and software, real estate, stationery, postage, vehicles, equipment, supplies, or other public resources” to make campaign contributions or expenditures.

On Tuesday, a Trump campaign event was held in Michigan in the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office garage, with sheriff’s cars parked behind Trump as he spoke.

However, there are specific exceptions in the Public Resources Law that state that public officials can express political views and public facilities can be used for campaigning if other candidates have an equal opportunity to use them.

A person who breaks the rules is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison or a fine of up to $1,000, according to the law. The government agency that breaks them can be fined the amount of the payment.

Livingston County Sheriff’s Office violates campaign finance law, says Mark BrewerMichigan elections lawyer and former state Democratic Party chairman.

“It appears the Trump campaign and Livingston County Sheriff’s Office are trying to break the record for the most campaign finance and election law violations at a single event,” Brewer wrote on Twitter.

However, in a statement released Friday to the Detroit News, Murphy said he did not believe he broke the law.

“I am pleased that the investigation has been initiated,” Murphy said.

More: Donald Trump to Campaign in Detroit Next Week

Whitmer on Harris and media questions

Governor Gretchen Whitmer she said she was confident Vice President Kamala Harris will devote more time to media questions and interviews as he begins his reelection campaign following last week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Republican Party Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vancewho took questions from the press during his visits to Michigan in recent weeks, criticized the Harris campaign for not doing the same.

However, Whitmer, who serves as co-chair of the Harris-Walz campaign, noted that four weeks since President Joe Biden dropping out of the race and endorsing Harris were “unprecedented times.”

“A month ago, we thought there would be another candidate at the top of the ticket, and all the work that went into finding a vice presidential candidate and putting this convention together, I know, has completely consumed us,” Whitmer said in an interview Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention.

“I’m sure the vice president will devote more time to the media once this week is over and the dust settles a bit.”

Trump, for his part, took one question after his latest Michigan event Tuesday in Howell. That day, he canceled an interview with The Detroit News after the newspaper asked about crime data that showed crime had declined in the years since Trump left office.

More: Trump returns to Michigan to talk crime, but data shows rates have fallen since he left office

Mike Rogers Praises Tesla

Republican Mike Rogerswho is running for U.S. senator in Michigan, called California-founded Tesla Inc. a “great American story” during a call with reporters Wednesday in Mecosta County.

Rogers visited Green Township for a rally against plans by Gotion, a company with ties to China that wants to build an electric vehicle battery parts plant on the outskirts of Big Rapids. Rogers opposed mandates that would force people to buy electric vehicles and said lawmakers should “let markets work.”

“Look at Tesla,” said Rogers, of White Lake Township. “They went into business all by themselves. It’s a great American story.”

The Republican mentioned that Tesla produces all-electric cars.

“The Big Three thought they were crazy,” Rogers said. “Remember that? It wasn’t that long ago. They thought they were crazy. They built a great car company. It sells. It’s huge.”

Elon MuskTesla CEO, endorsed Trump in the presidential election in July.

More: Is Tesla benefiting from Trump’s support from electric vehicle tycoon Musk?

Stewart jokes about Slotkin

Comedian and political commentator Jon Stewart began his live Thursday night show “The Daily Show” by joking that a certain mid-Michigan congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate was the much-hyped and speculated surprise guest on the final night of the Democratic National Convention.

Stewart — sarcastically — raised his arms in triumph, danced and cheered as he performed on the US convention stage. Representative Elissa SlotkinD-Holly.

“You thought it was Beyoncé because everyone thought it was Beyoncé coming out there,” Stewart said. “But it was Slotkin the whole time. Everyone knew.”

Earlier this evening, TMZ incorrectly reported that the music star Beyonce Knowles-Carter will perform at the convention.

“I’m in the… Slot Hive,” Stewart joked, referring to the term for the music megastar’s fans.

Slotkin posted a clip of Stewart’s commentary on social media platform X and welcomed the Comedy Central comedian to “SlotHive.”

The hotdog emoji in her post referenced Slotkin’s family history: Her great-grandfather founded the meat company Hygrade Foods, which created the iconic Ballpark Franks, first sold at Detroit’s Tiger Stadium.

Earlier this week, fellow comedian and former Daily Show correspondent Stephen Colbert joked about a state senator. Mallory McMorrowappearance at the Democratic Convention while hosting “The Late Show” on CBS.

The senator “came out with a big old book,” Colbert said. “Either that or she’s a tiny lady. They should have put in a banana for scale.” More on that in a moment.

Tweet of the week

Insider’s “Tweet of the Week,” given to a social media post that’s noteworthy or simply makes you laugh from the previous week, went to Team McMorrow, D-Royal Oak and Lansing City Councilman Peter SpadaforeMichigan Capitol lobbyist.

McMorrow spoke at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, holding a large hardcover copy of the 900-plus-page Heritage Foundation Project 2025, which details the conservative plan to reshape the federal government if Trump returns to the White House. The work on the props immediately inspired memes and edits.

Spadafore shared a version of the image that removed the words Project 2025 and replaced it with a lengthy menu from the former Clara’s restaurant in Lansing.

[email protected]