Trump supporters focus on immigration, the economy and defeating Harris at Mosinee rally

MOSINEE - An estimated 7,000 people gathered at the Central Wisconsin Airport Saturday to hear former President Donald Trump's nearly two hour speech, and show their confidence in Trump's ability to win another election this fall.

The rally drew people to Mosinee, just 20 minutes south of Wausau, hoping to catch a glimpse of the former president and Trump Force 1, the jet that transports him. Trump entered the venue, a parking lot of the airport, surrounded by semi trailers, to raucous cheers, chants and clapping Saturday afternoon.

This is the first time that Trump has held a full rally in Wisconsin since the Republican National Convention in July. Last week, his town hall-style event in La Crosse was cut off only about 40 minutes in due to an incoming storm and the desire to get the former president's plane off the ground before the strong winds and heavy rain hit the city.

Attendees at the Mosinee rally Saturday said they attended the event in hopes of hearing Trump's policy plans for the economy, immigration and a variety of culture issues.

More from Saturday's Mosinee rally: Hannibal Lecter, Al Capone and a list of promises. Takeaways from Trump's Mosinee rally

Attendees feel confident in Trump's ability to defeat Harris in November

A poll last month from Marquette University showed that Trump and Harris are locked in a head-to-head race.

Among registered voters, 50% supported Trump and 49% supported Harris. Among likely voters, 50% supported Harris and 49% supported Trump, according to the poll. When polling for President Joe Biden and Trump, Biden was at 42% and Trump at 47% among registered voters.

That close polling is likely what is attracting the presidential candidates to Wisconsin week after week. The presidential candidates, vice presidential candidates and a number of campaign surrogates have visited the state weekly, holding events across the state, drawing out excited voters to hear what they have to say.

But even with those polling numbers, Trump's supporters are sure their candidate will win.

Tony Sherfinski, of Schofield, said he doesn't trust the polling numbers at this point.

"I know my way around statistics. I have a degree in mathematics as well as engineering. You can make statistics say anything you want. Those are push points," he said. "I think we're going to win. I think it's going to be a decisive win that is going to shock the daylights out of the left."

Jennette Sherfinski, also of Schofield, also cast doubts on polling numbers. But the number she could see was how many people turned up to see and support Trump.

"It says something for what people are believing. It says something for America, and he's the only person that's going to save our country," she said.

Josh Bentley, 20, of Amherst, said he was feeling very confident in a Trump win this fall.

"I'm very confident. (Harris) was kind of just placed in. No one voted her in," he said.

Bentley wasn't old enough to vote for Trump in the 2020 election, and he's looking forward to getting the chance this year.

"I'm excited," he said. "(Trump) puts America first."

Attendees said they continue to see high enthusiasm for the Trump campaign and that support for him is understated.

"I still think there’s a lot of closet Trump supporters," Mary-Jo Oyer, of Door County said. "After Jan. 6, I think people are afraid to support openly and I don’t think the Democrats realize that. I think there’s a lot more support than what they’re counting on.

Immigration and economy among reasons why Trump has attendees' support

Comments from supporters in line before Trump's speech and afterward largely focused on immigration and the economy.

"I want America turned around. It’s gone to heck. I want my grandkids to be able to grow up in a country that is free and where they can live life to the full. Under the current administration, that’s not going to happen," Lee Belmas, of Kronenwetter, said. "The economy, what they’re doing to our schools, our kids, it’s a travesty."

Trump supporters at Saturday's rally often mentioned uncontrolled immigration as a cause for other issues.

"Well inflation is killing us all. Immigration. When we’re putting illegals before Americans, it’s horrible," Trenton Casl, 15, of Lomira said. "I think we need to put Americans first. I think that actions speak louder than words."

Others said Trump is able to project strength in foreign affairs.

"I’ve been in Vietnam and I know what war’s like. I think what he’s done before, he took ISIS and he got rid of them and he puts his foot down," Paul Belmas, Lee's brother who lives in Ironwood, Michigan, said. "I want a president that will put his foot down. I want the borders closed."

Trump's speech at the event was advertised as being focused on the economy and attendees were eager to hear his ideas for some relief from everyday costs.

"The economy is probably the biggest one for me," Jacob Holty said. "The inflation that we’ve seen over the last four years is pretty hurtful for us trying to live our lives out here."

Nick Oyer, of Weston, attended the event with his mother, Mary-Jo Oyer, and both said the economy was a top concern.

"Us real Americans who are going out to the grocery store, we see the prices. We pay it at the pump. We’re feeling it," Nick Oyer said. "I got two kids in day care, I pay double my mortgage for my kids to go to day care. It’s ridiculous."

Laura Schulte can be reached at [email protected] and on X at @SchulteLaura.

Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Donald Trump rally in Mosinee: Supporters focus on immigration, economy