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Trump-Supporting Steelworkers Are Pissed Trump Opposes Major Deal—And Everyone Had The Same Response

Steelworkers local union leaders; Donald Trump
Hudson Institute, ALLISON ROBBERT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

After Donald Trump reiterated his opposition to the sale of US Steel to Nippon, Trump-supporting Pittsburgh steelworkers called it a "gut punch."

Pittsburgh steelworkers who supported President-elect Donald Trump were devastated that he has reiterated his opposition to the proposed $14.9 billion sale of US Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel Co.

One union leader who had attended Trump's rally before the election called the incoming President's vow to block the Japanese steelmaker from buying the Pittsburgh-based US Steel when he takes office a "gut punch."


Early in his 2024 campaign, Trump mentioned he would “instantaneously” block the deal.

He revisited his intention on Monday, writing on a Truth Social post:

"I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan."

Trump also said he would make US Steel "Strong and Great Again" by pledging tax incentives and tariffs, adding:

"And it will happen FAST! As President, I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!"

@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social


Despite Nippon Steel's stating they are the only steel company that can provide significant investment in US Steel's factories to strengthen the US steel industry, the deal had been scrutinized by both Republicans and Democrats–including both Pennsylvania Democratic Senators Bob Casey Jr. and John Fetterman–over national security concerns.

In March, Democratic President Joe Biden stated his opposition to the potential acquisition and insisted US Steel should be domestically owned:

“U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.”

Biden said in September that he had yet to see a report from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, an inter-agency committee that reviews the national security implications of foreign investments in US companies.

As a MAGA supporter, Jason Zugai, the Vice President of United Steelworkers Local 2227 representing hundreds of U.S. Steel’s Irvin Works workers in West Mifflin, was devastated over Trump's opposition to the deal after he was elected for a second term.

During a panel discussion on Tuesday organized by Hudson Institute, a Washington D.C. think tank group, Zugai stated:

“I am very frustrated with the news that came out last night. I didn’t expect that to come out. So that was like a gut punch.”


Pittsburgh steelworkers who supported Trump aren’t happy that he’s opposing the US Steel-Nippon deal. “I am very frustrated with the news that came out last night. I didn’t expect that to come out. So that was like a gut punch.” — United Steelworkers VP Jason Zugai

[image or embed]
— KamallaDreams (@kamalladreams.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 8:32 PM


Social media users didn't have much sympathy for Zugai, and pretty much had a monolithic response.


TODAY’S EPISODE OF: WE F*CKING WARNED YOU Pittsburgh steelworkers who supported Trump aren’t happy that he’s opposing the US Steel-Nippon deal. “I am very frustrated with the news that came out last night…that was like a gut punch.” — United Steelworkers VP Jason Zugai

[image or embed]
— Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline.com) December 3, 2024 at 8:01 PM

“I am very frustrated with the news that came out last night. I didn’t expect that to come out. So that was like a gut punch.” — United Steelworkers VP Jason Zugai



[image or embed]— KamallaDreams (@kamalladreams.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 8:32 PM

@resistx.bsky.social/bluesky

@itsmrcatlady2u.bsky.social


If only they had searched for the truth instead of just confirming their biases by watching Faux News and other far right media.
— Twinsfan81 💙🇺🇸🦅🦋 (@twinsfan81.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 8:20 AM


I hope they get absolutely everything they voted for!!
— Jerk in ur way on his bike (@thetiminnc.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 7:45 AM


We warned you, but you thought you knew better..
— sherryll.bsky.social (@sherryll.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 8:08 AM


More joining the horde of those who bought into that self-obsessed con man. Those who wouldn't listen while they still had the chance.
— Pete Sisk (@dawgnexile.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 8:58 AM


This is what happens when people vote for their bigotries while convincing themselves it's for "the economy." Nope. It was ALWAYS about the bigotry.
— Sebastian2 (@sebastian2.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 5:28 AM


Duh! They're getting exactly what they voted for. Unfortunately, so are we.
— Missclarabow (@belabenanua.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 8:34 PM


Not real big thinkers in PA, are there? Did they really think that Trump was going to save them? Didn’t they get the memo? Trump ran to stay out of jail. Period.
— Christopher Chance (@geekyoldman.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 5:07 AM



Elections have consequences. Can’t feel sorry for anyone that believed any of his campaign promises.
— Roger Adams, Ph.D., CISSN, ACE-CPT (@eatrightfitness.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 8:36 PM



dang it! if only they had been given some sort of warning before voting for trump. 🤷🏼♀️
— shewanders2.bsky.social (@shewanders2.bsky.social) December 4, 2024 at 5:02 AM


In the weeks leading up to November, Zugai said he attended Trump rallies in Westmoreland County and Pittsburgh and helped arrange for steelworkers to join him.

He said he met the then-GOP frontrunner at one of the rallies. Although Trump did not specifically mention his opposition to the US Steel deal with Nippon at the rallies, Trump told Zugai he would "take another look at the deal" after the election.

Zugai said local supporters like him are currently scrambling to persuade other politicians to back the deal.


#FAFO we tried to warn you. 🤦♀️🤷♀️
— Kim (@kimmyo3.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 8:39 PM



He lied, you were told he lied, but you voted for him anyway because he put on a hard hat and yellow vest and did a photo op in a garbage truck. He uses a gold toilet loves taking your money buying his flags etc. made in China. WE TOLD YOU SO AND YOU VOTED FOR HIM ANYWAY???
— vjroy.bsky.social (@vjroy.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 10:35 PM


They were warned. Perhaps they should have done more critical thinking and less Trump idol worship.
— The Watchcat🌙 (@thewatchcat.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 8:49 PM


Too bad. Maybe it would have been instructive to take a wee glance at his past actions. You know, like a guide or indicator of how he might act. But no, you helped us all get stuck with this giant POS so deal with it.
— boudicasal.bsky.social (@boudicasal.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 8:39 PM

You can watch the full panel discussion explaining why local stakeholders supported the US Steel sale to Nippon in the video below.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Seriously, what were they thinking when they voted for him?

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