Former President Donald Trump told Wisconsinites Thursday they should be proud the GOP had descended on Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, quipping those gathered there should remember the millions spent this week when the November election rolls around.
“By the way, Wisconsin, we are spending over $250 million here, creating jobs and other economic development all over the place, so I hope you will remember this in November and give us your vote,” Trump said during his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination.
“I am trying to buy your vote, I’ll be honest about that,” he added. “And I promise we will make Wisconsin great again.”
Trump lost the swing state to Joe Biden by less than 1% in 2020, and it will be a critical prize in the upcoming election.
His campaign avoided a potential PR debacle after it was initially reported the former president wasn’t actually planning to stay in the state during the RNC, and would instead commute in from one of his properties in Chicago. He also sparked controversy after reportedly calling Milwaukee a “horrible city” during a closed-door meeting.
While Trump was in office, the government funneled billions of dollars in subsidies to farmers in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election, the New York Times reported. At the time, Trump was criticized for using the funds to appeal to his rural base and his Agriculture secretary was dinged for improperly using his role to help Trump’s reelection campaign.
The Times also notes while the sum spent at the RNC may be huge, the Biden administration recently worked to secure a $3.3 billion investment for a Microsoft AI datacenter in Racine, Wisconsin. That initiative is expected to created thousands of short-term and permanent jobs.
Trump spoke for more than an hour and a half to close out the RNC Thursday night. While he called for unity at times, much of his speech devolved into the typical themes of his campaign rallies, as he attacked his political enemies and spread fear about migrants along the southern border.