When Republicans convene in Milwaukee next month to officially nominate him for president, Donald J. Trump had initially planned to stay at a Trump hotel in Chicago, located approximately 90 miles away from the convention site, as per information from three individuals familiar with the former president’s travel arrangements.
However, this plan was altered on Tuesday afternoon after media outlets such as The New York Times and an ABC affiliate in Chicago reached out to his campaign for a statement.
Sources familiar with Trump’s logistics now indicate that he intends to stay in Milwaukee instead, in order to avoid any perceived disrespect towards the largest city in Wisconsin, a crucial swing state.
Recent reports about Mr. Trump’s unfavorable comments on Milwaukee have put him on the defensive, following revelations that he referred to the city as “horrible” during a private meeting with House Republicans in Washington.
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, Steven Cheung, defended Trump’s stance while emphasizing his concerns about crime and voter fraud in Milwaukee, despite lacking evidence to support these claims.
Subsequently, Trump reiterated his fondness for Milwaukee in a Fox News interview, asserting his positive connections to the city while reiterating his criticisms of crime rates and alleged voter fraud.
The decision to initially opt for Trump’s own Chicago hotel was influenced by his personal preference and logistical considerations, including security, according to an insider familiar with the Chicago arrangement, all of whom requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the planning.
Historically, Trump has shown a preference for staying at his own properties during campaign events, even going to great lengths to travel long distances to sleep in his own bed during his 2016 presidential campaign. It is worth noting that Trump’s lodging arrangements for the upcoming convention could potentially change before the event commences on July 14.
For inquiries regarding Trump’s accommodations, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, Alexi Worley, deferred to the Republican National Committee. She assured that the Secret Service would collaborate with law enforcement and public safety agencies to adjust security measures as necessary to ensure comprehensive security during the convention.
Trump’s initial choice to stay in Chicago would have undoubtedly been exploited by Democratic opponents to criticize him.
Following his controversial comments in Washington, the Democratic National Committee erected billboards across Milwaukee to highlight Trump’s disparaging remarks. In response, Trump refuted the claims of Milwaukee being a “horrible city” in a social media post, attributing the selection of Milwaukee as the convention host to himself.
In a bid to secure victory in Wisconsin, Trump emphasized his familiarity with Milwaukee and its significance in the state’s electoral outcome. He also questioned the credibility of anyone making derogatory remarks about such a pivotal state.
Despite his electoral defeat in Wisconsin in 2020, Trump continues to propagate baseless allegations of voter fraud in Milwaukee, contradicting findings of a nonpartisan audit that debunked these claims.
During the 2020 campaign, Trump also criticized Milwaukee, branding it as politically corrupt and emblematic of urban decay and violence, attributes he attributed to Democrats, as he sought to garner support from suburban white voters.
Similar to his views on Milwaukee, Trump has expressed disparaging remarks about Chicago, where Democrats are set to hold their convention in August. Trump’s Chicago tower, a towering structure standing 92 stories tall above the city, represents his final major construction project.
