During a one-day hiatus from his ongoing trial in New York, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he focused on economic issues and reasserted his stance on topics such as policing at college protests and abortion laws.
Trump utilized much of his speech at the Waukesha Expo Center to critique President Biden’s handling of the economy, attributing rising inflation rates to the current administration.
Trump also took the opportunity to commend the police, particularly for their actions against protesters at Columbia University. “When you see that video of raging lunatics, Hamas sympathizers, at Colombia, and other colleges, when you look at it, I say where did these people come from? I don’t know people like that, I deal with many people, where do they come from?” Trump stated, expressing his bafflement at the protesters’ actions.
The former president did not directly comment on a similar police response to protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that occurred just hours before his speech. This omission drew reactions from local Democrats, including Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, who emphasized the balance between the right to protest and safety on campus. “People have the right to protest, but also have the right to be safe on campus,” Rodriguez said.
Unexpectedly, Trump also touched on the topic of abortion, reaffirming his support for state-level decision-making following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. “I think it’s a very important thing and we did something that took courage, but it’s something everybody wanted to see. They wanted to see us bring it back and now I say it’s up to the state,” he explained, aligning his position with those advocating for more localized control over abortion laws.
As the November election approaches, the political climate in Wisconsin and other key swing states remains intensely competitive. Polls indicate tight races across the board. Trump’s rally in Waukesha underscores his focus on the Badger State.
