Former President Donald J. Trump had initially planned to stay at a Trump hotel in Chicago, rather than in Milwaukee, where the Republican National Convention will take place. However, this changed after reporters from The New York Times and an ABC affiliate in Chicago reached out to his campaign for a comment on this decision. As a result, Mr. Trump decided to stay in Milwaukee instead, avoiding any perceived disrespect to the city and the state of Wisconsin.
This change in plans came after Mr. Trump faced criticism for referring to Milwaukee as a “horrible” city during a private meeting with House Republicans in Washington. Despite the backlash, a Trump campaign spokesman defended his comments by highlighting Mr. Trump’s concerns about crime and voter fraud in Milwaukee, even though there is no evidence to support his claims of fraud in the 2020 election.
In response to the media scrutiny, Mr. Trump attempted to downplay his previous remarks by stating that he loves Milwaukee and has friends there. However, he continued to express his concerns about crime and voter fraud in the city, maintaining his contentious stance on these issues.
The decision to stay in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention is seen as a strategic move to avoid alienating voters in a critical swing state like Wisconsin. By choosing to be present in the host city for the convention, Mr. Trump is making an effort to show his support for the state and its residents, despite his earlier negative comments about Milwaukee.
Overall, this unexpected turn of events highlights the influence of media scrutiny on political decisions and the importance of public perception in shaping political strategies. As the Republican convention approaches, all eyes will be on Mr. Trump and his interactions with the city of Milwaukee, as he navigates the complexities of campaigning in a key battleground state.