July 15th 2024.
Despite previously criticizing Milwaukee, Republican Party frontrunner Donald Trump and many Wisconsin Republicans are now preparing to gather in the city for the Republican National Convention from July 15-18. This comes as a surprise, considering Trump's recent remarks about the city being "horrible" and his survival of an assassination attempt. However, he has confirmed his attendance at the convention, where he will officially be nominated for the November election.
While some news outlets reported that Trump referred to Milwaukee as a "horrible city," he clarified in an interview with Fox News that he was actually talking about the city's crime statistics. "We're very concerned with crime," he stated. "I love Milwaukee and have great friends there, but the crime numbers are terrible." He also mentioned issues with the election process in Milwaukee, which were later disproven by a firm hired by his campaign to investigate voter fraud.
Despite Trump's explanation, many believe his comments were racially charged, especially since Milwaukee is a majority-minority city, according to Data USA. Senator LaTonya Johnson, a Democrat who represents Milwaukee, pointed out that Republicans often target the city because of its diverse population. "They always make it seem like the bulk of voter fraud is coming from Milwaukee," she stated in an interview with The Guardian.
Milwaukee's first Black Democratically-elected mayor, Cavalier Johnson, also spoke out about Trump's remarks, calling them "bizarre." "When people actually come to our city, they will see that it's a great place," he said in an interview with NBC News. "It's also home to many Republican voters who have been a part of our community for years. It's a little strange for him to call their home 'horrible' and just another one of his many lies."
Meanwhile, Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schmming couldn't resist taking a jab at Milwaukee and other cities run by Democrats. He expressed his hope that the convention would showcase the positive aspects of the city, but also noted that it, like many other Democrat-run cities, has its fair share of issues. According to the New York Times, approximately 120 different protest organizations will also be present in Milwaukee during the convention.
Some protesters have criticized Milwaukee for hosting the convention, given its strong support for the Democratic Party. However, Mayor Johnson, a Democrat himself, has fully embraced the opportunity to host the RNC. In an interview with WPR News, he pragmatically stated, "The Republican nominee is going to be nominated somewhere, so why not have it in Milwaukee? It's a chance for us to showcase our city and attract attention from all over the world."
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