WALKER, MI -- President-elect Donald Trump says the main reason he is touring the country this month is to say "thank you" to voters who supported him.

At the latest stop on that victory tour in Grand Rapids Friday, Dec. 9, Trump singled out a specific group of people.

Speaking to a almost entirely white audience, he claimed low turnout among the African American community helped earn him earn a victory on Election Day.

"The African American community was great to us," Trump said. "They came through bigly."

After pausing for thunderous applause from the audience, the president-elect continued.

"If they had any doubt, they didn't vote," Trump said. "And that was almost as good. Because a bunch of people didn't show up, because they felt good about me."

Since race is not charted as part of election results, the claim is difficult to prove or disprove.

But with lower voter turnout in many urban areas, where there are more concentrated populations of African Americans, and high turnout in rural areas, the numbers would tend to support his claim.

Though the crowd at the event was primarily white, there were black Trump supporters in the crowd.

Lance Griffin, of Kentwood, was one. He wore the trademark red "Make America Great Again" baseball cap and talked about how gratified he was by Trump's latest visit to Michigan.

"I thought the tone was upbeat, forward thinking and exciting. And like a lot of other people, I thought he was talking to me; encouraging me, and thanking me for the support that I provided throughout this campaign," Griffin said. "It was difficult for many of us, especially African Americans, supporting Mr. Trump during this campaign, and he came here to thank us - not just African Americans - but to thank all of us for our hard work and we were here to say, 'You're welcome.'"

In his speech, Trump went on to claim victory among the Hispanic community and among women.

"And women," he said. "My goodness. We did great with women, so I want to thank women."

Though polling statistics suggest most Hispanic voters cast ballots for Trump's opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, they also suggest the margin was not as wide as in previous elections.

Polling also suggests Clinton won women on the whole, but did not win the subcategory of white women.

Trump's "USA Thank You Tour" began at 7 p.m. Friday at the DeltaPlex Arena, located in Walker just outside Grand Rapids.

-- Reporter Amy Biolchini contributed to this report.