'Right back at you, buddy': Milwaukee mayor responds to Trump calling his city 'horrible'

Mayor Cavalier Johnson clapped back Thursday to former President Donald Trump labeling Milwaukee a "horrible city."

"Donald Trump was talking about things that he thinks are horrible. All of us lived through his presidency. So, right back at you, buddy," Johnson said. "Donald Trump once again is wrong about something. That shouldn't be new news, especially for somebody who has a proven track record of lying about a number of things."

Johnson said about 50,000 Republicans call the deep blue city home. The Democratic mayor has welcomed the Republican National Convention while also vocally backing Democratic President Joe Biden's bid for a second term in the White House.

Trump is expected to accept the party's nomination at the RNC to take on Biden in the Nov. 5 election. Wisconsin, a key swing state, is expected to again play a crucial role in the election's outcome.

"I find it kind of strange that he would insult the largest city in Wisconsin because he's running for president," Johnson said. "To insult the state that's hosting your convention, I think it's kind of bizarre."

More: Here's how social media is reacting to Trump's 'horrible city' comment about Milwaukee

Trump, who is scheduled to hold a campaign rally in nearby Racine on Tuesday, made the comment Thursday morning to House Republicans in a meeting on Capitol Hill to discuss campaign strategies. Republican members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation offered varying accounts of the comment's context. Three said he was referencing the upcoming election while another said Trump had been talking about crime in the city.

Despite its challenges, Johnson said the crime rate in Milwaukee is dropping and he will continue investing in public safety.

"I'm aware that in urban areas there are challenges," Johnson said. "And these urban challenges are not unique to Milwaukee. They exist in cities all across the United States."

Despite the comment, Johnson said he remains confident Milwaukee's image will be unharmed.

City leaders have billed the Republican National Convention as an opportunity for Milwaukee to make a name for itself on the national stage. About 50,000 people, including thousands of members of the media from across the nation and globe, are expected to visit the city during the July 15-18 convention.

"I don't think this changes anything or people's perceptions about Milwaukee," Johnson said.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley also spoke up.

“The RNC still chose Milwaukee to come to, right?” Crowley said. "It is my hope that not only our former president but everybody who is going to be embarking on Milwaukee sees everything that we have to offer. We are a great county on a great lake … I can't wait to really prove him wrong and let him know what we have to offer.”

Trump's comment left Johnson with one piece of advice for local voters:

"For voters here in Milwaukee, I think the message is pretty clear. You've heard from the man himself. Let's all work to make sure that he doesn't have the opportunity to live in another city that I think he probably thinks is horrible, too," Johnson said. "And that's Washington, D.C."

Molly Beck, Lawrence Andrea and Vanessa Swales of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mayor Johnson claps back at Trump calling Milwaukee a 'horrible city'