Maryland Governor Claims Trump Prevented Him From Speaking at Manufacturing Event

<figure><img alt="Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke at the ceremony." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/M6EVNFXVHJCDBADCU27U4Q45PU.JPG?auth=ba12a120bbb9db3143109d0047f16c857c6c7cf36e67470ad0704d71930e1c92&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1392&amp;height=783" /><figcaption>Eric Lee / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>Maryland Governor Wes Moore stated that President Donald Trump blocked him from speaking at a manufacturing event in Baltimore that he supports. Trump spoke at the event on Tuesday to announce an investment in submarine manufacturing by the defense technology firm Anduril.</p><p>The Navy awarded Anduril a $2.9 billion contract, which, along with a $3.3 billion shipyard construction, is projected to create 3,100 direct jobs and over 11,000 indirect jobs. Moore expressed support for the investment.</p><p>Moore, who is considered a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential election, claimed Trump prevented him from addressing the audience at the ceremony.</p><img alt="US Navy members listen to Trump speak at Sparrows Point Shipyard, as the USS Billings sits in the background. Defense tech firm Anduril unveiled plans for a $3.7 billion ‌shipyard there. / Eric Lee / REUTERS" height="2858" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/6FFQUJKKHFHDXAXCNSSV75WN7E.JPG?auth=ed666511ff65053ed52d9d15a4d82b2e0b45d25aada2bcd51b331b01bacb62a4&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4287&amp;height=2858" width="4287" /><p>Moore stated, “If the president of the United States wants to bring the circus in town and tell me that I’m not allowed to speak, despite the fact we were the ones that helped bring the deal, then I will let the circus be conducted while I go back to the work of the people of Maryland,” according to reports.</p><p>A White House official responded by saying that Trump had “graciously” invited Moore to attend the event as a guest.</p><p>The official added, “It’s unfortunate that the Governor is now making a multi-billion dollar announcement about himself by throwing a tantrum over a federal initiative that will bring sorely needed jobs back to his state thanks to President Trump.”</p><img alt="Moore said Trump blocked him from speaking at the event, which the White House said he had been invited to just as a guest. / Brendan McDermid / REUTERS" height="3833" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/BKA2JFBRBBD7JHPUT34N5WGKMU.JPG?auth=db67453369be26a4bd927633fb77264c745461dc01b595dcd6977fab3802543b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5750&amp;height=3833" width="5750" /><p>A spokesman for Moore stated that the governor “has always said he will work with anyone when it comes to delivering for Marylanders but bow to no one when it comes to standing up for them.”</p><p>They also noted, “The Governor is proud to welcome Anduril to Baltimore County and the thousands of permanent jobs this investment is bringing to our state.”</p><img alt="Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke at the ceremony. / Eric Lee / REUTERS" height="2503" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/K3HGZ6PAKJG6NJDTXJCOX5Z72Q.JPG?auth=887ce1c7a41928774ad6c61c577a032193b979ce2c6d07753c745e32eb635570&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3618&amp;height=2503" width="3618" /><p>The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for further comment, while Moore’s office referred to a press release.</p><p>Trump and Moore have had previous disagreements. In February, Trump attempted to exclude Moore from the annual White House governors dinner, referring to him as “foul-mouthed.”</p><p>The Baltimore shipyard is expected to be operational by 2030 and will be located in Sparrows Point, the site of a former steel mill that closed in 2012. Anduril plans to manufacture parts for the Navy’s Virginia-class submarines at the new facility.</p><video id="l1Mexj9H" poster="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/l1Mexj9H/poster.jpg"><source src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/l1Mexj9H.mp4" type="video/mp4" /></video><p>According to Moore’s office, Anduril’s investments are expected to generate approximately $312 million in annual wages.</p><p>Moore stated, “This massive new project will deliver the largest private investment and create the most jobs in Maryland in over a decade—driving billions of dollars in economic activity that will boost Maryland families not just in Baltimore County, but throughout the state. With this facility, thousands of Marylanders will have new pathways to work, wages, and wealth through advanced training and high-skilled maritime manufacturing jobs. We thank Anduril for choosing Maryland, and we’re ready to build the future of the aerospace and defense economy together.”</p>