In a recent turn of events, former President Donald Trump is set to hold a rally with his supporters near Milwaukee, following reports of him referring to the city as “horrible” during a meeting with House Republicans. The rally comes just weeks before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is expected to be nominated for the third time.
Milwaukee, along with the state capital of Madison, holds significant Democratic influence in Wisconsin, with one in five votes for Joe Biden in 2020 coming from the city. The city’s Democratic mayor, Cavalier Johnson, warned that Trump’s remarks could potentially cost him the election in a closely contested state.
Democrats have seized on Trump’s alleged comment to rally support for Biden, with billboards featuring the remark and campaign merchandise proclaiming Milwaukee as “(Not) a Horrible City.” Trump, known for his “law and order” campaign in the past, has once again focused on crime in his current campaign, blaming Biden for a rise in crime across Wisconsin.
Despite Trump’s claims, recent polls show that crime is not a top concern for voters in Wisconsin. Trump’s appearance in Racine, just outside of Milwaukee, marks his second visit to southeast Wisconsin in recent months, emphasizing the region’s importance in the upcoming election. Biden has also made visits to the area, including a stop in Racine where he criticized a failed investment promoted by Trump during his presidency.
As the election season heats up, both candidates are vying for support in key battleground states like Wisconsin, where every vote is crucial in securing victory.