President Donald Trump promised to make American manufacturing great again. But now? Michigan is feeling the sting of that broken promise. General Motors is laying off more than 1,200 workers at its Factory Zero plant in Detroit, plus hundreds more in Ohio and Tennessee, as demand for electric vehicles drops.
GM says it’s all about “realigning capacity,” but the timing stings.
In today’s “so What, Michigan?,” The ’Gander’s Kyle Kaminski breaks down how Trump’s own policies helped drive these layoffs and why “America First” keeps leaving Michigan workers last.
Plus: The warning signs of authoritarianism.
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Survey: MI hospitals falling behind in patient safety (WILX): A new report from The Leapfrog Group shows Michigan hospitals have slipped in patient safety, with the state ranking 35th nationwide and earning its fewest A grades on record. Out of 80 hospitals, only 18 received top marks—including Henry Ford Jackson. Meanwhile, U of M Health–Sparrow and McLaren Greater Lansing earned Cs.
MSU gets probation, wins vacated by NCAA (ESPN): The NCAA has placed Michigan State football on three years’ probation and vacated 14 wins from the past three seasons for using ineligible players under former coach Mel Tucker. The school will also pay fines and face recruiting restrictions, while Tucker and two former staffers received multi-year show-cause penalties.
Northern lights threepeat possible Thursday (Freep): After two nights of dazzling auroras, Michigan could see another round of northern lights Thursday night, especially across northern parts of the state. NOAA forecasts mostly clear skies for much of the region, though a weaker geomagnetic storm may make the display less intense than earlier this week.
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President Donald Trump promised “America First.” Instead, Michiganders got pink slips.
Political correspondent Kyle Kaminski has the details in this edition of “so what, Michigan?”
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Warning signs of a weakening democracy
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In her 2018 book “Fascism: A Warning,” former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright wrote that people living under authoritarian regimes often don’t realize it until it’s too late. The lesson? It’s worth learning the warning signs before they take hold.
Experts have identified seven basic tactics used by aspiring authoritarians. Experts point to a familiar playbook used by would-be authoritarians. Watch for when a political party or movement starts to:
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- Politicize independent institutions by placing loyalists in roles meant to be nonpartisan.
- Spread disinformation while undermining credible media.
- Expand executive power and chip away at checks and balances.
- Silence dissent and punish critics.
- Target marginalized groups and stoke fear of “outsiders.”
- Manipulate elections or question legitimate results.
- Excuse or encourage political violence.
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These tactics often show up gradually, in the form of division, scapegoating, or rewriting the rules to favor those in power.
The goal of any authoritarian administration or movement is to make everyday people feel powerless, so they stop believing they can shape what happens next.
But knowledge is power. Recognizing the signs early is the first step toward protecting democracy—and each other.
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Reach 190,000+ ’Ganders who care about their communities! Sponsor The ’Gander’s Dec. 6 Special Edition, “How to Get Involved and Give Back this Holiday Season.” Book by Nov. 21, 2025, and save 20% off your placement.
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a story from Kyle Kaminski. It was edited by Paula Solis.
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