Trump: GM selling Lordstown plant to small truck-maker

General Motors is selling its plant in Lordstown, Ohio, to a small electric truck-maker called Workhorse, President Donald Trump tweeted Wednesday — news that could blunt anger in the battleground state over the impending loss of 1,700 jobs.

GM confirmed that it is “in discussions” with Workhorse. Workhorse could not immediately be reached for comment.

Wednesday‘s announcement previews a 2020 talking point for Trump’s campaign.

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. “Just spoke to Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, who informed me that, subject to a UAW agreement etc., GM will be selling their beautiful Lordstown Plant to Workhorse, where they plan to build Electric Trucks.”

He added that “GM will also be spending $700,000,000 in Ohio in 3 separate locations, creating another 450 jobs.”

Trump said he had been “working nicely with GM to get this done.”

The acquisition confused some observers, who noted that Workhorse is a company with just

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for 2018. According to its website, Workhorse manufactures electric trucks, delivery drones and aircraft.

GM closed the plant in March. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) called the closure “a new Black Monday in the Mahoning Valley.”

GM said in a statement that it was “in discussions with Workhorse Group Inc. and an affiliated, newly formed entity” to sell GM’s Lordstown Complex. “The move has the potential to bring significant production and electric vehicle assembly jobs to the plant,” GM said. “Upon final agreement, the entity, led by Workhorse founder Steve Burns, would acquire the facility. Workhorse would hold a minority interest in the new entity.”

GM estimated that the move could create 400 jobs at the Lordstown plant.

The company also announced that it is investing approximately $700 million and creating approximately 450 new manufacturing jobs Toledo, Parma and Moraine, Ohio.

Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine