Byron Donalds Confronted About Trump’s ‘Horrible’ Milwaukee Comments: ‘Why Is He Having His Convention There?’
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) defended Donald Trump amid reports that the former president trashed Milwaukee, where Republicans are holding their convention next in July.
During a meeting with congressional Republicans on Thursday, Trump said, “Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city,” according to Punchbowl News.
While several Republicans denied the ex-president said this, Trump himself admitted to disparaging the city.
“It was very clear what I meant,” Trump told Fox News. “I said, we’re very concerned with crime. I love Milwaukee, I have great friends in Milwaukee, but it’s as you know, the crime numbers are terrible.” He also baselessly accused the city of being a hub for voter fraud in the 2020 election. President Joe Biden won Wisconsin, which is shaping up to be a swing state yet again.
Appearing on Meet the Press, Donalds – who is reportedly on Trump’s vice presidential shortlist – was asked about the comments by guest host Peter Alexander.
“So, if Mr. Trump feels so strongly that Milwaukee is a ‘horrible city,’ why is he having his convention there?” he asked.
Donalds responded by accusing NBC and other networks of reporting on Trump’s remarks without context.
“With respect to Milwaukee, he was talking about allegations of voter fraud and also the crime rate,” Donalds said. “And I think it’s important for people to understand, your murder rate may be down, but that doesn’t mean that violent crime, etc., are also lower.”
Donalds added:
The reason why the RNC and President Trump want to go to Milwaukee is because we know there are voters in the state of Wisconsin – like voters all across America – who are frustrated with what has happened to our country under Joe Biden. Immigration, massively up and out of control. The labor markets are ok, not great. Wages are down when you adjust them for inflation. People are struggling to try to make ends meet in Joe Biden’s America. So, the president’s taking his message everywhere, including the city of Milwaukee.
Watch above via NBC.
