RACINE, Wis. Just days after reportedly referring to Milwaukee as “a horrible city” during a private meeting with congressional Republicans, former President Donald Trump demonstrated a change of heart at his recent Wisconsin rally. Addressing the crowd in Racine on Tuesday, Trump expressed his fondness for Milwaukee, a city located 40 minutes north of Racine, which will host the Republican National Convention next month.
I love Milwaukee! I was the one that picked Milwaukee,” the former president said, referring to the convention decision. He continued by discussing the need for crime reduction in the city and emphasizing the importance of ensuring fair elections.
Trump’s speech at the rally covered a wide range of topics, including recent events like Obama leading a fundraiser for Biden over the weekend, an incident which Trump referred to as “corrupt president Biden offstage.” The former president also poked fun at his own legal troubles, stating that he has been indicted and making light-hearted comments about it.
The Wisconsin rally marked Trump’s first appearance in the important swing state since his recent conviction, and it seemed that he reveled in discussing his “indictment.
In addition to addressing crime and election integrity, Trump spoke at length on issues like immigration and political division. He claimed that South American countries are sending criminals to the United States’ southern border, leading to an increase in criminal activity affecting American citizens. Trump also stated that his stance on these issues is gaining support from black and Hispanic voters, who he believes will vote for him in higher numbers than ever before during this election season.
According to an aggregate of network polls, Trump’s support among black voters has tripled since the 2020 election cycle, increasing from 7% at that time to 21. The former president also made a campaign promise during a recent Las Vegas rally to eliminate taxes on tips. Remember, with Trump, no tax on tips,” he said, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
Trump’s speech focused heavily on his vision for common sense policies and the importance of unity across political divides. He emphasized that the Republican party is not just about conservative or liberal ideals but rather a commitment to making practical decisions that benefit all Americans. The former president also promised that he would not fund schools with vaccine or mask mandates and vowed to keep men out of women’s sports.
In addition, Trump criticized critical race theory and “transgenderism,” reflecting his stance on these social issues.
Those attending the rally in Festival Park were treated to tables and carts of MAGA merchandise and other pro-Trump gear, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Brooklyn Bridge on a busy weekend. James, who traveled from Spring Grove, Ill., shared his expectations for Trump’s speech, hoping that he would address the importance of bringing together marginalized communities.
Janet, a 64-year-old attendee from Illinois, told The Post she was excited to hear about Trump’s potential running mate but did not expect an announcement at this rally. She mentioned that her preferred choice for VP would be conservative television personality Tucker Carlson or South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
Conservative state and local leaders urged attendees to help bring friends and family who don’t typically vote to the polls, emphasizing that these non-voters are likely supporters of Trump. In contrast, State Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler released a video last week encouraging his supporters to persuade non-voters to support Biden.
Racine County is considered battleground territory for the presidential contest, with recent elections in the area being decided by slim margins. In 2020, Joe Biden secured Wisconsin by just 0.63. A poll released yesterday showed that Trump has expanded his lead over Biden in Iowa from an 8-point advantage in 2020 to a substantial 18-point lead, potentially signaling challenges for the current president in swing states like Wisconsin, where he currently holds a statistical tie with Trump.
