Trump Discusses Tariffs and Immigration to Energize Small-Town Supporters in Wisconsin

By Gram Slattery

MOSINEE, Wisconsin – Donald Trump made a strong commitment in Wisconsin on Saturday to implement unprecedented tariffs and significantly restrict immigration, which he claims is responsible for job losses and crime. His remarks were aimed at reinforcing support from working-class and rural white voters, a crucial segment of his base.

At a rally held at a regional airport in Mosinee, a town with a population of approximately 4,500, the Republican presidential candidate stated that even traditional allies like the European Union would face new trade penalties if he prevails in the upcoming Nov. 5 election against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

Trump presented immigration as a significant threat to Wisconsin, alleging without evidence that undocumented immigrants could force local residents out of their homes. "Crime is through the roof, and you haven’t seen the migrant crime yet," he warned. "It started, and it’s vicious, but you haven’t seen the extent of it yet."

Continuing his controversial rhetoric, Trump asserted that the 2024 election might be the last one for the nation. His support among various demographic groups has waned over the summer, particularly since Harris became the leading Democratic candidate.

Recent polling indicates that Harris has a 13-point lead over Trump among Hispanic voters, a stark contrast to President Biden’s 5-point lead in May. Among Black Americans, Harris is outperforming Biden by seven points. However, Harris has made little progress among white voters, with those lacking a college degree still preferring Trump by a 25-point margin, slightly down from 29 points in 2020.

Several of Trump’s advisers recently emphasized the importance of maintaining strong support from working-class whites to ensure a victory against Harris, particularly in Rust Belt states like Wisconsin, which have large rural populations. Trump won the presidency in 2016 by promising to revitalize industrial jobs in these areas.

Trump stated, "We’re not going to watch our wealth and our jobs get ripped away from us and sent to foreign countries, and Wisconsin will be one of the biggest beneficiaries," referring to his proposed trade policies.

Mosinee is relatively distant from Wisconsin’s major cities, Milwaukee and Madison, but located close to Wausau, a city of around 40,000. The political landscape in Marathon County, where Mosinee lies, has shifted right since it voted for Barack Obama in 2008, showing substantial support for Trump in the following elections.

While the Trump campaign is identifying growth opportunities among Hispanic and Black male voters, much of Trump’s recent campaigning has targeted small Rust Belt towns with minimal representation from these demographics. Trump’s running mate, Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance, is expected to focus on rural areas in the final weeks leading up to the election.

DEBATE ON HORIZON

The Saturday rally was one of Trump’s final public appearances before he faces Harris in a debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Many of his supporters have advised him to focus his criticisms on policy rather than personal attacks.

While Trump did not directly reference Harris’ identity during his speech, a recording played at the rally appeared to mimic her laugh, which he has often mocked. He pledged to remove corrupt officials from federal agencies and repeatedly targeted Fani Willis, the district attorney prosecuting him for his alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia.

Trump also expressed support for changing the 25th Amendment to make it an impeachable offense for a vice president to conceal a president’s mental incapacity, along with criticizing the leadership of Colorado and Maine regarding challenges to his ballot eligibility.

He claimed, without evidence, that Colorado authorities had surrendered control of parts of the state to Venezuelan gangs, asserting, "In Colorado, they’re so crazy they’re taking over sections of the state. And you know, getting them back will be a bloody story."