Former President Donald Trump made his first visit to Wisconsin since 2022, where he denounced the Biden Administration’s approach to immigration and threw his support behind Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde.
Speaking at a rally in Green Bay on Tuesday, Trump launched what appeared to be his general election campaign for the crucial swing state. The event coincided with Wisconsin’s presidential primary, although both Trump and President Joe Biden had secured their party nominations well in advance.
Immigration emerged as a central theme in Trump’s address, with the former president persistently asserting false claims of victory in the 2020 election, both statewide and nationally. Trump criticized President Biden’s immigration policies, labeling the situation at the southern border as an “invasion” and pledged to undertake what he termed as the “largest deportation in American history” if reelected.
Trump highlighted a recent surge of migrants to Whitewater, attributing it to the current administration’s handling of border issues. He cited the strain on local resources, including public schools, caused by the influx of non-English-speaking migrant students.
Earlier this year, officials from Whitewater acknowledged the challenges posed by the increased immigrant population but affirmed their commitment to assisting integration efforts.
The rally also served as a platform for Trump to reiterate his baseless claims of election fraud and to endorse Eric Hovde, who is running for the U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin. Hovde echoed Trump’s immigration concerns and raised alarms about inflation during his remarks.
Trump’s appearance came amidst a winter storm, yet supporters endured adverse weather conditions to attend the event. Many echoed Trump’s claims of election fraud, with some expressing conspiracy theories regarding former President Barack Obama’s involvement in current politics and dismissing Trump’s legal issues as politically motivated.
Despite Trump’s enduring support among his base, several former cabinet officials, including former Vice President Mike Pence, have declined to endorse him for another presidential term.
Notably, abortion, a significant issue in Wisconsin politics, was not addressed by Trump or other Republican officials present at the rally. However, Trump’s recent indication of support for a 15-week federal abortion ban with exceptions for specific circumstances has drawn criticism from opponents who fear it would restrict reproductive freedoms.
With Wisconsin’s statewide elections often decided by narrow margins, the upcoming November election remains highly anticipated, with recent polling suggesting a tight race between Biden and Trump.