Former President Donald Trump is set to make his comeback on the campaign trail on Wednesday, hosting rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan, marking his first public political appearances since his New York criminal hush money trial began. With both states seen as crucial battlegrounds in the general election rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden, these rallies hold significant importance in the path to the White House.

Despite Trump's desire to take advantage of every opportunity, his days off from court have been limited, largely due to circumstances beyond his control. Severe storm weather forced the cancellation of his planned campaign stop in North Carolina last month. In the meantime, Trump has been attending closed-door fundraisers, taking meetings, and hosting dinners at Trump Tower, with occasional breaks for activities such as golfing or celebrating his wife Melania Trump's birthday.

While Trump's absence from the campaign trail has raised eyebrows among some close to him, his team remains focused on key swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin. Recent polls indicate that the race is currently neck-and-neck in these states, as well as in Pennsylvania, another state that Biden flipped in the 2020 election. Trump's campaign has hired state directors in Michigan and Wisconsin, and they are in the early stages of building out their campaign teams, which will include a mix of paid staffers and volunteers. The Republican National Committee will also play a crucial role in supporting the ground game efforts.

The Trump campaign is closely monitoring the polling data in Michigan and Wisconsin, comparing it to previous election performances. Despite not spending significant money on paid media in these states, they believe that Biden's heavy spending suggests vulnerability in maintaining his Democratic base. Trump's team aims to focus on turning out his own base while persuading undecided voters to support him in the November election.

Both Michigan and Wisconsin present opportunities and challenges for both candidates. Trump's advisers view the protest votes cast during the primaries as a significant point of concern for Biden, particularly among Arab American voters dissatisfied with his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. In Wisconsin, a considerable number of "uninstructed" and "uncommitted" votes raised questions about Biden's popularity among Democrats.

During Wednesday's rallies, Trump plans to address core issues that his team believes Biden is vulnerable on, such as foreign policy, crime, immigration, and the economy. The adviser familiar with his speech also mentioned emphasizing the importance of the auto industry in Michigan, a state Trump narrowly lost in 2020.

The significance of Trump's visits to both Wisconsin and Michigan, just a month after his previous visits, highlights their importance in his pathway to reclaiming the White House. Trump's victories in these Rust Belt states in 2016 were key in breaking the Democrats' traditional stronghold, making them essential in his strategy for this election. Acknowledging their importance, his senior advisers have labeled these states as "must-win" in 2024.

As Trump prepares to rally his supporters once again, his campaign plans to establish a strong volunteer-driven organization, learning from the mistakes made in the 2016 election. While they have a considerable fundraising deficit compared to Biden's campaign, they intend to rely on the Republican National Committee's infrastructure to mobilize voters and secure support for Trump.

With the race tightening in crucial battlegrounds, attention will now turn to Trump's rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan, as he seeks to energize his base and make a persuasive case to win over undecided voters in these pivotal states.