During a meeting with House Republicans, former President Donald Trump referred to Milwaukee, the host city of the 2024 Republican National Convention, as a “horrible” city overrun by crime. These comments sparked criticism from Democrats, with Trump’s allies rushing to defend his remarks. The Trump campaign vehemently denied that he called the city “horrible,” labeling the reports as a “total lie.” However, they did acknowledge that Trump was addressing the issues of violent crime and voter fraud in the city.
Several Republican lawmakers who were present at the meeting disputed the claims that Trump had made negative comments about Milwaukee. Republican Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, who was in the room, refuted the reports, stating that Trump did not make such a statement. Other congressional Republicans attempted to provide context for Trump’s remarks, suggesting that he was discussing the city’s crime rate or election integrity.
Response from Democrats
Not surprisingly, Democrats were quick to pounce on Trump’s comments about Milwaukee. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson fired back at Trump, referencing the issues that occurred during his presidency and highlighting that he is not in a position to criticize the city. Garren Randolph, the Wisconsin Democratic coordinated campaign manager, expressed that voters in Milwaukee are tired of having their concerns dismissed by Trump and the Republican Party.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s comments has cast a shadow over the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. While the city has openly embraced the opportunity to host the event, Trump’s disparaging remarks have created tensions. The decision by Milwaukee-based department store Kohl’s to not sponsor any events related to the convention underscores the strained relationship between the Democrat-led city and the Republican Party.
Adding another layer to the situation is Trump’s legal troubles. In May, he was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records, with his sentencing scheduled for July 11, just a day before the Republican convention is slated to commence. Some Democrats alluded to Trump’s criminal conviction in their responses to his comments about Milwaukee, further complicating the political landscape in the state.
Overall, Trump’s offhand remarks about Milwaukee have set off a chain reaction of responses from both sides of the political spectrum. The controversy has highlighted the deep divides within the country and the ongoing tensions between the parties. As the Republican National Convention draws near, it remains to be seen how Trump’s comments will impact the event and the city of Milwaukee as a whole.
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