MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — Mayor Cavalier Johnson acknowledges the political awkwardness of being a Democrat hosting a Republican National Convention, particularly after the party’s nominee referred to the city as “horrible,” but said the decision is a good one for his city.
“This event, in a Democratic city but the Republican National Convention, presents an opportunity for us to rise to the occasion as Americans,” Johnson said Monday in a sit-down interview with WGN.
The city has been working for years on securing the convention that is expected to welcome 50,000 people and provide a $200 million economic boost. Johnson made the pitch to the Republican National Committee in 2021 while acting mayor and before being elected to the position. The city hosted the COVID-impacted Democratic National Convention in 2020.
But Trump in June referred to Milwaukee as a ‘horrible city,’ though he and his team later amended the comments.
“He said something about my city that I personally disagree with, in fact, I think members of his own party disagree with. I mean, the Republican National Committee chose to come to Milwaukee to bring their presidential nominating convention here, so obviously Republicans don’t think that Milwaukee is a horrible place,” Johnson said.
Before Saturday’s attack on Trump, the major headlines in the presidential campaign were focused on President Biden’s age and capacity. Johnson continues to support Biden and hopes the speakers at the Republican National Convention can help calm the political violence and division.
“We don’t have to fight each other. We settle our differences, our political differences, at the ballot box. At the end of the day, we’re all Americans,” the mayor said.
The RNC is in Milwaukee through Thursday.