For a moment, the campaign venue fell silent. Ronald’s words were so shocking.
Detroit, once a symbol of the glory of the manufacturing industry, has now become an abandoned city. Over 20% of the population has left, and the skyscrapers that cost millions of dollars to build now stand empty and neglected.
Street lights were off, roads were crumbling, and even basic services like water and security were hard to come by.
The newly elected governor, who had promised to revitalize the struggling city, simply repeated that the state government had no money.
But now, to invest $20 billion here?
At that moment, a cry rang out.
“Liar!”
The voice came from a middle-aged woman supporting Diane; she still held the microphone.
“After you’re elected, you’ll change your tune, won’t you? How can we believe your words? You received a commitment for investment? Where’s the guarantee that promise will be kept?”
Expecting a denial, Ronald simply nodded.
“You’re right. Politicians always make all sorts of promises during elections. But after they’re elected, they don’t keep a single one. I, too, have been taken in countless times by politicians’ words. She also speaks lies every time she campaigns. However, I’m different. Whether I become president or not, investments will be carried out as promised!”
Diane’s supporters jeered as if they had been waiting.
“Boo!”
“Lies! Lies!”
As the jeers intensified, Ronald inwardly chuckled.
“You think I’m lying? You can’t believe me? Well then, here is someone who will come forward to prove my words!”
A man stepped onto the stage. The crowd was shocked.
His name was Hubel Butler – not just a gubernatorial candidate in Michigan, which Detroit belongs to, but a member of the Democratic Party, helping Diane in her campaign.
But why was he appearing at the Republican candidate’s rally?
He had his reasons. A few days ago, in a private meeting with only the two of them present, Ronald had insulted him.
“If you won’t help yourself, Michigan will negotiate with Wisconsin or Ohio.
It wasn’t uncommon for Rust Belt states wanting to attract investment.
If it becomes known that a $20 billion investment proposal was rejected, strong criticism is inevitable. That would be the end of his reelection chances.
In hindsight, it wasn’t such a bad proposal. If it’s revealed that he actively sought to attract investments, his reelection will be fine.
Therefore, he willingly attended Ronald’s campaign and accepted the mic.
Governor Hubble confidently stated as he looked around at the campaign rally, “All of Ronald’s words are true! The state government is currently in negotiations with OTK Company, and the investment will be implemented immediately. I will help Ronald revive Detroit!”
He might face party discipline for this, but it doesn’t matter. If problems arise, he can just change parties. What matters is not the Democratic Party but the citizens of Michigan who gathered here, making him governor.
Even the opposition’s governor stepped up to acknowledge it, no one dared to refute his words anymore.
Ronald raised his hands high as if declaring, “From this moment onwards, there is only one principle in America!”
And slowly and emphatically, he said, “America First!”
What principle could be more important to American workers than this?
Cabin felt his heart swell with pride.
The factory gates opened, work resumed. They could pay off debts, take care of their children.
From being a useless laid-off worker to becoming a great parent again.
Supporting Ronald was indeed the right choice!
He looked at his friends, the same friends who just supported Diane moments ago now joining in the cheers.
“America First!”
“Wow!”
The cheers echoed as if the campaign was about to depart.
Ronald continued shouting with exaggerated gestures and expressions.”
“Enough is enough with the liar and the nonsense-spewing media. While she is ruining America in the White House and Congress, I have been here changing the reality of America! Now, tell me. Who is the liar? Who is speaking the truth? Is it her, or is it me? Is it CNN, or is it me?”
The answer was clear.
“Ronald! Ronald!”
The hands of those who had supported Diane fell down. The pickets and banners symbolizing Diane and the Democratic Party disappeared one by one.
“Wow!”
Ronald watched the scene from the center of the stage.
His name echoed throughout.
“Ronald Stamper!”
“Ronald Stamper!”
Ronald raised his right hand and shouted vigorously.
“Make America Great Again!”
It was his campaign slogan and a pledge to restore the glory of America.
Until then, one might have thought it was a lie. However, he showed it to be a reality from this very spot.
The voters gathered in the rally shouted with one heart and one voice.
“Make America great again!”
The rally was truly a frenzy. It felt like watching a rockstar performance.
The scene was captured entirely by the cameras and spread worldwide.
***
[Republican candidate Ronald convinces OTK Company to invest directly!]
[OTK Company invests $20 billion in the US automobile industry!]
[Ronald’s prioritization of America!]
[Ronald Stamper, saving the Rust Belt!]
[Ronald’s impact! How will Diane respond?]
The media was flooded with articles. Ronald’s Detroit campaign video garnered over 1 million views on YouTube in just one day.
Watching the video, Taekgyu shook his head.
“This is no joke. Feels like watching an idol concert.”
“He didn’t become a Republican candidate for nothing.”
We handed him the cards, and Ronald made good use of them.
Until recently, people thought Ronald only talked about reviving the manufacturing sector to gain votes. But he not only delivered on that promise before becoming president, but even before the elections.
While the benefits mainly focused on Michigan, the entire Rust Belt was ecstatic. What was more remarkable was that voters began taking Ronald’s words seriously.
Thanks to this, the plummeting approval rating suddenly rebounded by 3%. The actual support might be even higher.
Although Diane still maintained a 10% lead, the seeds of a comeback were sown.
“Actually, setting up factories in the US isn’t a great choice,” Taekgyu remarked.
“Why is that?”
“Labor costs are high, and so are corporate taxes.”
Hence, even American companies had closed their factories in the US and moved them to emerging countries. As a result, industrial areas rapidly deteriorated.
Nevertheless, we decided to invest $20 billion, equivalent to a whopping 22 trillion Korean Won.
Ronald promised tax cuts and various supports. To ensure these promises were kept, he had to become president.
Although I had a feeling we were in for a lot of backlash, we had boarded this ship and had to see it through to the end.
“I wonder how Diane will react,” Taekgyu asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.
“She’s probably cursing you out by now.”
“······.”
***
A urgent meeting was held at the Democratic Party’s election camp. Key election officials, including candidate Diane, gathered in one place. They recalled the name “OTK Company” in their minds.
“These bastards…”
The election was practically over. But suddenly, these guys joined hands with Ronald and changed the tide of public opinion.
Diane maintained a calm expression.
“We should have at least verified what cards they were holding.”
They never imagined a small investment company could become a game-changer. They were so confident in their victory that they even refused to meet.
“Did they go to find Ronald because I didn’t meet him?”
If she had allied with OTK Company, she could have solidified her position by embracing the working class. Regretting now was already too late.
Fortunately, the public opinion hadn’t completely flipped yet. Even if a few Rust Belt states shifted, it wouldn’t severely affect the overall trend. She still had more than 300 electoral votes secured.
Just by securing her region well, she could easily become the president. Diane bit her lip slightly.
“Schedule a campaign in Florida, please.”
That was her mistake.
Even if all schedules were canceled, she should have immediately run to the Rust Belt. She needed to appease the white working-class voters.
Had she done that, even if the Rust Belt was inevitable, she could have embraced other working-class voters in different regions. Instead of relying on uncertain victories, she wanted to appease the certain local sentiments.
Even strategists, including Joel, agreed with her thoughts.
As Diane moved to Florida, Ronald criticized her on social media, saying, “She has completely abandoned the Rust Belt.”
In the meantime, public opinion was shifting in another direction.
***
CarOS headquarters located in Silicon Valley.
We met with Daryl and the team in the conference room.
I addressed them, “You must have heard that OTK Company is investing 20 billion dollars in the U.S. automotive industry. We are currently negotiating with the Michigan state government.”
Negotiations naturally fall under Hyunjoo’s responsibility. She’s so busy because of the South Korea branch that she can’t even sleep because of us.
“We plan to leave the research center here and move CarOS headquarters to Detroit.”
Daryl was taken aback by my words.
“W-what does that mean?”
“CarOS will become a key player in the automotive industry going forward. It’s better to move the headquarters to a place where there are factories.”
Ryan raised an objection.
“If there are collaboration issues with the automotive company being acquired by OTK Company…”
I shook my head.
“It’s not collaboration. There won’t be a need for collaboration going forward because CarOS will be acquiring the automotive company, not OTK Company.”
“Really?”
Managing software and hardware companies separately can lead to difficulties in resolving conflicts. So, it was decided to keep CarOS as the holding company and make the automotive company a subsidiary.
I looked at Daryl.
“Can you do it?”
His eyes flickered. He must understand the implication of my words.
If things go as I just said, he will become the CEO of a company worth more than 20 billion dollars. Of course, we will hold the majority of the shares.
It was a decision made after discussions with Taekgyu and Hyunjoo.
Daryl has led CarOS with a strong passion for creating perfect autonomous driving technology. Even when CarOS was acquired by Eun Sung Motors, he did not succumb to external pressure and stayed true to his path.
Surely, he will continue to do well in the future.
Sergei asked, “Are you in a position to make such an important decision yourself? What does OTK Company think?”
“My word represents OTK Company’s stance.”
“Why…?”
I spoke confidently, no longer hiding.
“Because I am the CEO of OTK Company.”
“. . .”
Everyone fell silent. It’s natural to be momentarily speechless when surprised.
After a moment, Sergei was astounded.
“T-That’s impossible!”
“I’m sorry for revealing it just now. I didn’t intend to deceive anyone.”
I looked around at CarOS’s executives and continued.
“We will continue to support as before, but without interference. Create the car you desire. Don’t you want to see a CarOS-made car driving on the roads?” After a moment, Daryl spoke with a stern expression.
“We will do it.”
Gogo