Biden, Trump win Michigan primaries, with caveats
13% of Democratic voters in this must-win state chose "uncommitted"


What happened?
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump won their respective Michigan primaries on Tuesday. Trump beat Nikki Haley 68% to 27%. Biden won 81% of the Democratic vote, but 13% of Democratic voters chose "uncommitted" amid an Arab American–led protest against his support for Israel in Gaza.
Who said what?
"This fight for our freedoms, for working families and for democracy is going to take all of us coming together," Biden said. "I know that we will." The Trump vote was "far greater than anticipated," Trump said. When "we win Michigan" in November, "we win the whole thing." Michigan's results are a "flashing warning sign for Trump" and Republicans, Haley's campaign said. You may resent my "audacity to challenge Joe Biden," said Dean Phillips, who got 3%, but "at least you’ll appreciate how relatively strong I'm making him look among primary voters!"
The commentary
Biden "scored a decisive win," Politico said, but "not necessarily" big enough to "calm Democratic jitters." Biden's campaign "should probably be worried" by the "uncommitted" votes in must-win Michigan, Michelle Goldberg said at The New York Times. At least "Biden's challenges are widely understood," Matt Lewis said at The Daily Beast. "Trump's supporters seem convinced he's invincible. They shouldn't be" — if "Haley-style Republicans stay home" in November, Trump loses.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Haley has pledged to stay in the race through Super Tuesday on March 5.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
What to know before turning to AI for financial advice
the explainer It can help you crunch the numbers — but it might also pocket your data
-
Book reviews: 'The Headache: The Science of a Most Confounding Affliction—and a Search for Relief' and 'Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run'
Feature The search for a headache cure and revisiting Springsteen's 'Born to Run' album on its 50th anniversary
-
Keith McNally' 6 favorite books that have ambitious characters
Feature The London-born restaurateur recommends works by Leo Tolstoy, John le Carré, and more
-
Trump expands National Guard role in policing
Speed Read The president wants the Guard to take on a larger role in domestic law enforcement
-
Trump says he's firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
Speed Read The move is likely part of Trump's push to get the central bank to cut interest rates
-
America: Are we now living in an autocracy?
Feature 200 days into his presidency and Trump is still deepening his authoritarian grip
-
Red states join in Trump's D.C. crackdown
Feature 1,200 troops arrive in Washington D.C. from six red states
-
Pomp but little progress at Trump's Ukraine talks
Feature Trump's red carpet welcoming for Putin did little to advance a peace deal with Ukraine
-
What are blue slips and why does Trump want to end them?
Today's Big Question The practice lets senators block a president's judge and prosecutor nominees
-
'The question is what it does for the ecosystem'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportation
Speed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda