Former President Donald Trump made a controversial comment about Milwaukee during a closed-door meeting with GOP congressmen where he used the word “horrible.” Some congressmen believe he was referring to crime and voter fraud, while others argued that he was talking about the upcoming election. The comment immediately drew backlash from Democrats, including President Joe Biden, who posted a message expressing his love for Milwaukee on social media.
Milwaukee, the largest Democratic stronghold in swing-state Wisconsin, is set to host the Republican National Convention starting July 15. Trump is scheduled to be in Racine, Wisconsin, for a campaign rally shortly before heading to Milwaukee for the convention. Trump’s spokesperson clarified that he was referring to crime and voter fraud in Milwaukee, and several Republican congressmen who attended the meeting supported this interpretation, while others disputed it.
Despite the differing interpretations of Trump’s comment, there was consensus among some Republicans that the crime rate in Milwaukee is a significant concern. While Trump continues to spread falsehoods about the 2020 election, investigations have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could have affected the election outcome. Several Republican congressmen defended Trump’s remarks, while Democratic leaders criticized his presidency and recent felony convictions, pointing out Milwaukee’s vibrancy and diversity as a welcoming city.
Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin used Trump’s comment in a fundraising plea, highlighting Milwaukee as an essential part of what makes Wisconsin the best state in the nation. Governor Tony Evers joined in criticizing Trump, adding the comment to the list of things the former president is wrong about. The decision to host the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee was a collaborative effort between local and statewide Democratic and Republican leaders, with the city originally set to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention before it was moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
