Lower Saxony premier criticizes Audi CEO's Trump rally appearance

Volkswagen AG

26/10/2026 11:54

BERLIN, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Lower Saxony premier Olaf Lies on Monday criticized Audi CEO Gernot Doellner's appearance alongside U.S. President Donald Trump at a campaign rally last week, saying he had become part of a political spectacle.
"A campaign rally cannot be the right place to announce an investment of this magnitude," said Lies, state premier of the German state of Lower Saxony, Volkswagen's second-largest shareholder. 
"This appearance has caused consternation among employees who are worried about their jobs here, and far beyond. I can fully understand that - I feel the same way," Lies said in a statement.

 (Writing by Friederike Heine
Editing by Linda Pasquini)
 ((friederike.heine@thomsonreuters.com;))