Trump Insults Milwaukee and Calls The City ‘Horrible’ Just Before The City is Set to Host Republican Convention

By: Sam Watanuki | Published: Jun 14, 2024

During a closed-door meeting with GOP congressmen on Thursday, former President Donald Trump referred to Milwaukee as “horrible.”

The comment has sparked immediate reactions and interpretations among the attendees and beyond. The remark was first reported by Punchbowl News while the meeting was still in progress.

Supporters Defend Trump's Words

Supporters of Trump, including several congressmen, claim he was referring to the city’s crime rate and issues with voter fraud.

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A photograph of the 45th US President, Donald Trump

Source: Wiki Commons

Trump has a history of criticizing Democratic-led cities for being unsafe, despite recent FBI statistics showing a national decrease in violent crime.

Differing Republican Views

There were mixed responses from Republicans in the room about what Trump meant.

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Former president and candidate for 2024, Donald Trump speaks to a crowd

Source: @TheTelegraph/YouTube

Rep. Derrick Van Orden insisted Trump was talking about Milwaukee’s crime rate, while Rep. Scott Fitzgerald said Trump referred to concerns about election integrity in the city.

Denial from Other Republicans

Some Republicans, like Rep. Bryan Steil, disputed that Trump made the comment at all.

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Donald Trump with a serious look on his face. He is wearing a blue suit and tie and has a US flag pin on his suit.

Source: Pool/Getty Images

Steil posted on X, “President Trump did not say this. There is no better place than Wisconsin in July.”

Democrats React Swiftly

Democrats, including President Joe Biden, quickly responded to Trump’s reported remarks.

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President Joe Biden talks on the phone with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, R-Tenn., Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, in the Oval Office of the White House.

Source: Adam Schultz/Pexels

Biden posted a photo of himself with the Milwaukee Bucks, saying, “I happen to love Milwaukee.”

Local Leaders Defend Milwaukee

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, who represents Milwaukee, defended the city against Trump’s criticism.

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at sunset. The city has a lot of high-rise buildings.

Source: Tom Barrett/Unsplash

Johnson mentioned Trump’s presidency in his retort, while Moore highlighted the city’s vibrant and welcoming nature, contrasting it with Trump’s felony convictions.

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Senator Baldwin's Response

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin also defended Milwaukee, calling it “part of what makes Wisconsin the best state in the nation.”

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference

Source: Getty Images

Baldwin used Trump’s comment in a fundraising plea, emphasizing the importance of Milwaukee and its positive attributes.

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The Importance of Milwaukee

Milwaukee is set to host the Republican National Convention starting July 15, making Trump’s comments particularly significant.

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Two silhouettes of a donkey and an elephant, representing the Democratic party and the Republican party on an American flag

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The city is the largest Democratic stronghold in swing-state Wisconsin, highlighting its political importance.

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Republican Convention Preparations

Local and statewide leaders, including Gov. Tony Evers, worked together to secure the convention for Milwaukee.

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Former president and candidate for 2024, Donald Trump, pauses while speaking to a crowd

Source: Shutterstock

Evers responded to Trump’s comment with a post on X, “Add it to the list of things Donald Trump is wrong about,” followed by a clown emoji.

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Historical Context

Milwaukee was supposed to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention, but it was moved almost entirely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Former president and candidate for 2024, Donald Trump, points at the audience during a speech

Source: Shutterstock

This year’s Republican convention is seen as an opportunity to showcase the city on a national stage.

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Trump’s Upcoming Visits to Wisconsin

Trump is scheduled to visit Racine, Wisconsin, for a campaign rally on Tuesday, just weeks before the convention.

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Donald Trump in a black suit with a red tie standing in front of an American flag

Source: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff/Flickr

His frequent visits to the state show its importance in the upcoming election and his campaign strategy.

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Ongoing Election Integrity Debates

Trump continues to spread falsehoods about the 2020 election, particularly in Wisconsin.

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A view of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, over a body of water. The city contains lots of high-rise buildings.

Source: Tom Barrett/Unsplash

Despite investigations finding no evidence of widespread voter fraud, the debate over election integrity remains a contentious issue in the state and nationally.

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