I Voted MAGA. Now Michigan’s Unemployment Jumped from 4.4% to 5.5% and I “Regret Everything”

Michigan’s economic outlook just took a sharp turn, and the numbers are hard to ignore. In the past year, the state’s unemployment rate jumped from 4.4 percent to 5.5 percent. That rise places Michigan second only to Nevada in terms of joblessness across the United States, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The news was first highlighted by CNBC’s Carl Quintanilla in a post that quickly gained attention online. He wrote:

“Michigan’s unemployment rate has jumped from 4.4% to 5.5% in the past year, and it now has the second-highest rate in the country (after Nevada).”

Alongside the tweet, he shared a striking Bloomberg chart with orange data points scattered across a graph—Michigan’s dot sat noticeably higher than most, signaling both the size of its labor force and the severity of its unemployment spike.

This economic slide comes after the state leaned harder into MAGA politics. Republican leaders had promised a resurgence in jobs, manufacturing strength, and energy independence. Instead, Michigan now finds itself facing one of the steepest rises in unemployment anywhere in the country. A viral Reddit comment captured the moment with brutal precision: “Michigan voted for MAGA, now their unemployment rate is soaring.”

For years, Michigan was a symbol of Rust Belt recovery. Factories were reopening, and economic optimism had returned. But over the past twelve months, that fragile comeback has unraveled. The automotive sector, in particular, has hit a wall. As companies shift production toward electric vehicles, legacy plants are shutting down or scaling back, putting thousands of traditional manufacturing jobs at risk.

Many of these displaced workers lack the specialized skills needed for newer roles in green tech or automation. Training programs exist but often lag behind industry demand. Meanwhile, overall labor participation remains low. Many Michiganders who lost work during the pandemic haven’t returned to the workforce, either due to health concerns, lack of childcare, or simply the absence of attractive job options.

Small businesses haven’t been spared either. Inflation and high operational costs have slowed hiring and forced some to cut staff. Even in Republican strongholds like Macomb and Monroe counties, job fairs are underperforming and local employers are reporting labor shortages.

Politically, the impact is real. Republican candidates across Michigan built their platforms around economic revival. But as the state’s job numbers decline, voters are beginning to ask tough questions. So far, the answers haven’t been convincing.

The Biden administration has responded with references to national job growth and major infrastructure investments. But those benefits feel distant to many residents in Michigan. They’re more concerned about what’s happening in their local communities—factories idling, paychecks disappearing, and uncertainty creeping back into daily life.

Now, the state is at a crossroads. Will political leaders step up with immediate and effective solutions, or will they fall back on recycled promises? Michigan has been here before. After living through the collapse of the auto industry and the Great Recession, many thought the worst was behind them. But for a growing number of families, the economic anxiety is back—and this time, it’s coming on the heels of political promises that are starting to feel empty.