Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has stirred controversy after reportedly calling Milwaukee, the host city for the upcoming Republican National Convention, “horrible” during a closed-door meeting with GOP lawmakers.
“Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city,” Donald Trump allegedly stated on Thursday, according to a report by the New York Post, which cited a digital media outlet. The remarks come just a month before the convention, scheduled to take place in Milwaukee from July 15 to 18.
Republican officials quickly moved to address the fallout. Wisconsin Congressman Bryan Steil refuted the report, tweeting, “I was in the room. President Donald Trump did not say this. There is no better place than Wisconsin in July.” Rep. Derrick Van Orden, also from Wisconsin, and Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) defended Donald Trump, stating he was referring to Milwaukee’s crime statistics and accusing the Democrats of fabricating the controversy.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, a Democrat, responded sharply to Donald Trump’s alleged comments. “If Donald Trump wants to talk about things that he thinks are horrible, all of us lived through his presidency. So, right back at you, buddy,” Johnson said, as quoted by The Hill. He criticized Donald Trump for disparaging the city and noted the strategic importance of Wisconsin for the upcoming election, calling the remarks “bizarre” and “unhinged.”
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) also criticized Donald Trump, highlighting his loss in Wisconsin to Joe Biden in the 2020 election. “The dislike is mutual — in 2020, Milwaukee County went for President Joe Biden by around 40 points, helping to flip the state blue and send Joe Biden to the White House,” the DNC stated in a message to CBS 58 News.
Donald Trump’s comments risk alienating voters in Wisconsin, a crucial battleground state, ahead of the election. The Republican National Convention will be a pivotal event, and Milwaukee’s reception of the convention could influence voter sentiments.
