Donald Trump denigrated Detroit while appealing for votes in a suburb of Michigan, stating that he thinks Detroit and some areas make the US a developing nation and that it needs help. Trump's comments drew criticism from Democrats who praised the city's recent drop in crime and growing population. Michigan is an important state in the tight race, and Trump's stop in Novi indicates its significance. Trump also highlighted local Muslim and Arab American leaders during his rally, hoping for overwhelming support from those voters in Michigan.