The latest in an endless line of media hoaxes involving former President Donald J. Trump was launched on Thursday, but it appears to have already imploded.
The presumptive GOP nominee spoke to Republicans in Washington, D.C. with a distorted version of his remarks about Milwaukee, WI, which hosts the party’s contention next month, being reported by Jake Sherman of the online outlet Punchbowl News.
“Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city,” Sherman wrote on X along with a red siren emoji for breaking news. News that turned out to be of the fake variety.
TRUMP TO HOUSE REPUBLICANS:
“Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city.”
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) June 13, 2024
The former MSNBC political analyst’s scoop had two of the usual components of Democrat media hoaxes. It relied on a secondhand source, and most importantly, the source was anonymous and for all anyone really knows, was made up to serve as fuel for the manufactured “news” machine.
It is ridiculous to believe that Trump would insult the host city weeks before the convention and what he was referring to was the high crime and election shenanigans in Milwaukee, another Democrat-run hellhole.
“Wrong. Total bullsh*t. He never said it like how it’s been falsely characterized as. He was talking about how terrible crime and voter fraud are,” wrote Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung.
Wrong. Total bullshit. He never said it like how it’s been falsely characterized as. He was talking about how terrible crime and voter fraud are. https://t.co/BH0Q7exswB
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) June 13, 2024
Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) who unlike the Punchbowl News propagandist was actually in the meeting, rejected Sherman’s scoop as “Just another Democrat hoax.”
I was in the meeting. President Trump never disparaged Milwaukee.
Just another Democrat hoax.
— Jim Banks (@Jim_Banks) June 13, 2024
Other Republicans also rejected Sherman’s flaming whopper.
Another classic example of shitty reporting by a Democratic Party shill pretending to be a journalist.
Lies busy omission. @realDonaldTrump was specifically referring to the crime the CRIME RATE in Milwaukee. https://t.co/lOB06vBD5e pic.twitter.com/UpL3HYMyJy
— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) June 13, 2024
I was in the room. President Trump did not say this. There is no better place than Wisconsin in July. https://t.co/MJUpqyAt4G
— Bryan Steil (@RepBryanSteil) June 13, 2024
“No,” Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News host Sean Hannity. “I didn’t hear it and I was sitting right next to him. I introduced him this morning at breakfast where he started the day.”
When asked about the Democrat distortion of his words, Trump clarified his remarks to Fox News reporter Aishah Hasnie.
“It was very clear what I meant. 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. We have to be very careful. But I was referring to also the election, the ballots, the, the way it went down, it was very bad in Milwaukee. Very, very bad,” Hasnie’s network colleague Chad Pergram shared on X.
Trump to colleague Aishah Hasnie when asked about Milwaukee: It was very clear what I meant. 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. We have to be very careful. But I was…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 13, 2024
“And the people understand that and they agree with me. Everybody agrees. No, that was a fake story that came out. Yeah. Milwaukee has a problem with crime, as do most Democrat-run cities. Most Democrat-run cities, almost all of them have problems. But they also have a problem with votes. And, election integrity. And that’s what we want to make sure we get straight,” Trump said.
Casting further doubt on Sherman’s veracity is that Democrats quickly moved to roll out billboards in Milwaukee, looking to dupe the city’s residents and other voters in the critical battleground state. More of the unprincipled, bad-faith behavior that the thoroughly rancid political party specializes in.
Democrats launch billboards in Milwaukee after Trump says it’s a ‘horrible city’ https://t.co/ZxMnP6ReRF
— Journal Sentinel (@journalsentinel) June 14, 2024
In a statement after Sherman kicked off what has all the appearances of an op, DNC spokesperson Addy Toevs said Trump had “made his contempt for Wisconsinites and their home clear.”
Democrats were all hands on deck with their dirty trick, displaying sheer desperation since nothing they have thrown at Trump has stuck as he continues to widen his lead over President Joe Biden in polls.
“I happen to love Milwaukee,” wrote “Biden” in a post to X along with a picture of him receiving an honorary jersey from the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks at a White House ceremony honoring the team.
I happen to love Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/QRfgwbETV7
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 13, 2024
They have nothing to run on and with Biden’s horrific record, it will be all lies, all the time until November 5.
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