Brief
Former Howard Miller designer blames Trump tariffs for factory closure and vows to vote Democrat
The closure of Howard Miller’s Zeeland plant highlights growing Republican voter discontent over Trump‑era import taxes.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Howard Miller, a century‑old clockmaker in Zeeland, Michigan, shut its factory and laid off nearly 200 workers after a year of tariff‑driven cost pressures, according to Fortune. The plant’s former product designer, 62‑year‑old John Vandermeer, said the loss was directly caused by President Donald Trump’s import taxes and announced he will vote for a Democratic candidate in the November 3 midterms.
What happened
Howard Miller announced the closure of its Zeeland facility in early 2026, selling off inventory and the brand name while eliminating about 200 jobs. The company had previously diversified its product line beyond traditional grandfather and mantel clocks to include bar carts, cabinets and consoles, but those items also relied on imported glass and components.
What the reports add
Fortune notes that, despite a modest rise in overall U.S. manufacturing employment this year, the sector employs fewer people than when Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers countered that a “factory boom” is underway, citing higher manufacturing output and increased work in non‑residential construction trades. She said, “Factory construction jobs of today mean more manufacturing jobs down the road once those factories come online.”
What was said
Vandermeer told Fortune, “So much for bringing jobs back… I could still have a job, but now I don’t because of tariffs. It was like taking a knife to the back.” He added that he plans to vote straight Democrat in the upcoming midterms. Rep. Bill Huizenga, the Republican incumbent for Michigan’s 4th Congressional District, had supported the tariffs when they were announced on “Liberation Day,” telling reporters, “Is it going to be easy? Not necessarily. Is it the right thing to do? Absolutely it is.” A Huizenga spokesperson later said the congressman “sees a potential role for tariffs” while acknowledging broader economic effects. Democratic challenger State Sen. Sean McCann criticized Huizenga for opposing legislation that would curb Trump‑imposed tariffs.
How it came about
Trump’s tariff policy, introduced in 2025, was promoted as a way to revive U.S. manufacturing but has faced backlash in battleground states. Earlier Felo coverage linked similar voter fatigue to the Iran war, inflation and high gas prices, noting a growing split among Trump‑aligned voters (Felo article). The Howard Miller case adds a concrete example of how tariff‑induced cost increases are influencing both employment and political attitudes in key swing districts.
Key facts
- Howard Miller closed its Zeeland, Michigan factory and laid off nearly 200 workers (fortune.com)
- Former designer John Vandermeer blames Trump tariffs for his job loss (fortune.com)
- Vandermeer says he will vote Democrat in the November 3 midterms (fortune.com)
- White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers says a factory boom is underway (fortune.com)
- Rep. Bill Huizenga supported the tariffs when they were announced (fortune.com)
Sources
- [1] fortune.com — originally reported as “Trump's tariffs forced U. S. factories to close down or lay off workers, and longtime GOP voters are revolting—'It was like taking a knife to the back'”
