Recap: Donald Trump held town hall event Thursday night in La Crosse
Former president Donald Trump was in La Crosse for a town hall event Thursday night as part of his presidential campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris.
It was Trump's fourth campaign event in Wisconsin this year, not counting the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month. He also held rallies in Racine, Waukesha and Green Bay.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provided live coverage of the event. Here's a review:
Trump's town hall lasts only about a half hour
The town hall has ended, lasting only about a half hour. Trump often speaks at rallies for over an hour, and his speech at the Republican National Convention was 92 minutes long.
Trump took about six questions, two of them from Gabbard and four from attendees sitting behind him. Topics included inflation, immigration, national security and Trump's support of IVF.
~~Hope Karnopp
Trump calls Tim Walz 'weird'
Responding to a question about crime from an attendee from Minnesota, Trump began by calling Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz "a weird guy, a weird dude."
"He is weird, I'm not weird," Trump said and defended his running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance. "I mean, we're a lot of things, we're not weird."
Even before he was named Harris' running mate, Walz gained traction among Democrats for often calling Trump and Vance "weird" in television interviews.
~~Hope Karnopp
Gabbard asks first question about IVF
Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard asked the first question of the town hall, asking about Trump's stance on in vitro fertilization, or IVF. Gabbard said she had difficulties becoming pregnant and IVF "seemed to be the only option and the last resort.
Trump said he supports IVF and told his campaign he "wanted to look at this a few weeks ago." Earlier Thursday in Michigan, Trump announced he wants government or insurance companies to fully pay for IVF treatment.
'Government is going to pay for it, or we're going to mandate your insurance company to pay for it, which is going to be great," Trump said.
Trump says he wants IVF treatment fully covered, indicates he'll vote to overturn Florida 6-week abortion ban.
"I am gonna be voting that we need more than six weeks," Trump said of an abortion rights ballot measure that would overturn Florida's six-week ban.
~~Hope Karnopp
Trump touches down in La Crosse
Running slightly behind schedule, Trump touched down at the La Crosse Regional Airport just before 6:30 p.m. Thursday night.
He was greeted by former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden and the Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, Brian Schimming at the airpor.
Trump is now expected to take the stage sometime around 7 p.m.
--Mark Hoffman and Laura Schulte
Trump supporters meet in long lines
Adam Stoehr of Dakota, Minnesota, and Ray Varo of Madison met at the event Thursday, sitting by each other and braving the long concession lines together.
Both purchased shirts from Amazon to show their support for Trump and his policies
“I think, more and more, there’s merch on either side of the aisle,” Varo said. “People can’t wait to get Harris-Walz stuff. We can’t wait to get Trump stuff. It’s free branding.
The two made the trip to see Trump in La Crosse because “he may not have time to come to Wisconsin again.
— Laura Schulte
Attendee says meeting Trump would be ‘dream come true’
Lori Norman of Richland Center made the drive to La Crosse on Thursday with family because they “love Trump.”
She and her granddaughter, 10-year-old Rya Lemke, both wore Trump shirts to show their support.
Lemke said she became a Trump fan after writing him over two years ago and receiving a response. Her goal Thursday night is a chance to meet him.
“It would be a dream come true,” she said.
— Laura Schulte
Eric Hovde, Ron Johnson not expected at Trump's town hall
Typically at Trump's Wisconsin rallies, Republicans like U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, former Gov. Scott Walker and U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde take the stage to give short speeches. Thursday night will be different, with Trump taking questions from voters.
Hovde and Johnson aren't expected to appear at the La Crosse event — a flyer lists them as guests at a fundraiser for Republican candidates in Orange County, California, Thursday night.
Democrats have attacked Hovde over being named one of the most influential people in Orange County multiple times. Hovde has an estate in Laguna Beach, California, though his website says he lives in Madison. He has a house on Lake Mendota.
— Hope Karnopp
Democrats talk Harris' economic plans ahead of Trump's town hall
At a press conference Thursday morning ahead of Trump's town hall, Democrats targeted Trump on issues like abortion access, infrastructure funding and Project 2025, a conservative agenda that his campaign has tried to distance itself from.
But they clearly anticipated the economy would be a top issue Thursday night and highlighted Harris' own economic plans. Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez said Harris is the "only one in this race to put forward a plan that would actually lower costs for working families."
Harris unveiled parts of her economic plan earlier this month, including up to $25,000 in down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers; a $6,000 tax credit for families with newborns; and a federal ban on price-gouging of food and groceries.
— Hope Karnopp
What time is Trump's town hall tonight in La Crosse?
The town hall is expected to begin at 6 p.m. CT. Doors opened at 2 p.m. CT.
Where is Trump's town hall tonight in La Crosse?
Trump is holding the town hall at the La Crosse Center in downtown La Crosse. The venue sits along the Mississippi River, which is the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The center hosts conventions, concerts and other events.
It can seat up to 8,000 people, according to its website. The Trump campaign hasn't said how many voters are expected to attend the town hall.
Harris also used the La Crosse Center as a venue for a campaign stop in April, before President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and she became the nominee. She rallied a room of supporters around abortion access during that visit.
— Hope Karnopp
Who's moderating Trump's town hall tonight in La Crosse?
Former Democratic congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard will moderate the debate, the Trump campaign said. Gabbard endorsed Trump on Monday.
Gabbard served as the representative for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District from 2013 to 2021. She left the Democratic Party in 2022.
In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in June, Gabbard didn't rule out joining the Republican Party or serving in Trump's administration if he wins the November election.
— Hope Karnopp
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump town hall event in La Crosse lasts about 30 minutes