These are all the Wisconsin and Milwaukee references from Donald Trump's 2024 RNC speech
Former President Donald Trump's 90-minute acceptance speech concluding the 2024 Republican National Convention included scattered references to Wisconsin and, to a lesser extent, Milwaukee.
Trump, who prior to the convention infamously dubbed Milwaukee a "horrible city" — a comment he later said was meant as a reference to crime and elections in the city — had only nice things to say about the Badger State and was complementary of both Fiserv Forum, where he delivered the speech, and the Pfister Hotel, where he stayed throughout the RNC.
Here's a rundown of the Wisconsin-themed references in the speech:
Trump called out the 'extraordinary people' of Milwaukee and hyped the Green Bay Packers
As Trump ran through a list of people he thanked for the convention, he couldn't help but include a shoutout to the residents of the host city. After spotting the Wisconsin delegation, which was wearing cheeseheads, he also drew cheers when he predicted the Packers would have a "good team this year."
Here's his exact quote, according to a New York Times transcript of the speech:
"And a very special thank you to the extraordinary people of Milwaukee and the great state of — oh, there they are. There they are, that’s — You are so easy to spot. And Green Bay’s going to have a good team this year, right? They’re going to have a good team. They’re going to have a good team. Most of the audience doesn’t like it, but it’s true. You’re going to have a very good team this year."
Trump said he was 'trying to buy' Wisconsinites votes with a $250 million investment in the state
Here's the exact quote from the speech, which was a reference to the financial impact of the RNC. CBS58 reporter Adam Rife said Trump went off script for that number; the teleprompter said $200 million.
"And by the way, Wisconsin, we are spending over $250 million here, creating jobs and other economic … development all over the place. So I hope you will remember this in November and give us your vote. I am trying to buy your vote."
Trump on multiple occasions thanked former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
Trump included acknowledgements of a Wisconsin governor in his speech. He didn't specify the governor by name, but based on what he was talking about at the time, he was presumably referring to Scott Walker who ran unsuccessfully against Trump in 2016 and ultimately supported Trump's candidacy. Walker served as a Wisconsin delegate to the 2024 RNC. Current Gov. Tony Evers is a Democrat and, um, likely will not cast a vote for Trump in November.
Here's one "governor" reference from Trump:
"And I promise we will make Wisconsin great again. We’re going to make this ... Thank you. Mr. Governor, thank you very much. Thank you."
Trump touted a shipbuilding contract his administration awarded to Wisconsin
Trump referenced an estimated $800 million shipbuilding contract the Navy awarded to Fincantieri Marinette Marine in 2020. The contract stipulated the shipyard was to build a guided-missile frigate that was a bigger, and arguably more capable, warship than littoral combat ships.
Fincantieri told reporters that the contract could create 1,000 new jobs at the shipyard and 4,000 more at the company’s suppliers. However, the Navy's LCS shipbuilding program has long been plagued by cost overruns and other issues.
This is what Trump said about the shipbuilding contract:
"And Wisconsin, Wisconsin, just like I gave you that massive ship contract, and you’re doing a very nice job, governor, right? Thank you, governor. And they’re doing a great job. In fact, I had a little design change and we gave them a tremendous for, essentially, what we used to call destroyers. These are now the most beautiful. They look like yachts."
Was Trump subtly referencing Ed Gein? Probably not, but it would be quite an interesting Wisconsin allusion
At one point Trump mentioned "the late, great Hannibal Lecter," who, of course, is a fictional character. Was he secretly trying to reference another infamous Wisconsinite?
Lecter wasn't inspired by Ed Gein, but Buffalo Bill — the other serial killer depicted in "The Silence of the Lambs" — was. Gein remains one of the most "famous" people from Wisconsin.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: All the times Donald Trump referenced Wisconsin in his 2024 RNC speech