A few days after President Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement of sweeping new tariffs, Rep. Keith Self has weighed in—and, to no one’s surprise, he’s all in.
He’s offered full-throated support, calling the tariffs necessary to protect American jobs and dismissing concerns about economic fallout as overblown. According to Rep Self, there’s no need to worry—this is all part of the plan.
Now, in an effort to show those tariffs are already working, he’s taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share what he’s touting as evidence of a manufacturing comeback: a handful of corporate press releases that, in his telling, prove “America is back.”
The problem? These announcements offer more sizzle than steak—especially for the people who actually live in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District (TX-3).
Let’s break it down.
A Temporary Boost in Indiana = Prosperity in Texas?
First up on Rep. Self’s victory lap: General Motors. GM announced it’s boosting production of light-duty trucks at its Fort Wayne, Indiana plant—an effort that could create up to 250 temporary jobs. That’s good news… if you happen to live in Indiana. For TX-3? Not so much.
Also worth noting: GM workers at the Fort Wayne plant will face a 4-day shutdown later this month to prep for the ramp-up—and GM hasn’t publicly said whether those workers will be paid during the pause. A temporary bump for them, a temporary shrug for the rest of us.
Ford’s “America First” Pitch = Sales Gimmick, Not Job Creator
Then there’s Ford’s “From America, For America” employee pricing campaign. Sure, it sounds patriotic, but it’s basically just a discount sale dressed in red, white, and blue. Ford has not announced any new jobs or manufacturing shifts as a result of the policy.
And while Ford does assemble most of its vehicles sold in the U.S. domestically, this initiative is about moving cars off lots, not planting new factories in TX-3—or anywhere else.
Stellantis: Discounts for All, Layoffs for Some
Stellantis, not to be outdone, also announced employee pricing for all. But in the same breath, they’re laying off 900 U.S. workers and hitting pause on multiple North American production lines. It’s a little like offering cake to the public while quietly snatching dinner off your own workers’ plates.
Guardian Bikes: A Rare Bright Spot, Still Not Local
To be fair, Guardian Bikes is investing $15 million to bring some frame manufacturing back to the U.S.—in Seymour, Indiana, not Texas. That expansion is expected to create 40 jobs by the end of 2025. A commendable effort, but hardly the economic engine Rep. Self implies it to be.
TX-3: Still Waiting for a Real Plan
Let’s do the math: Of all the announcements Rep. Self hyped, not a single one directly benefits TX-3. No new jobs in Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, or anywhere else in the district. Meanwhile, the 25% tariffs on auto imports—the very policy fueling these announcements—are threatening to:
- Raise prices for working families
- Disrupt small auto dealers and parts suppliers
- Increase inflation pressure across multiple sectors
And yet, he wants us to believe that these are wins we’re supposed to celebrate?
A Plan… or Just PR?
To be clear: we’re all for American manufacturing. Bringing jobs home is important. But let’s not confuse corporate press releases with real policy impact. Rep. Self’s post reads more like a brand ambassador audition than a serious economic proposal for the people he represents.
North Texans aren’t looking for retweets—we’re looking for real solutions.