Former President Donald Trump energized a crowd of approximately 15,000 supporters at a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin, on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Arriving in his private jet, nicknamed “Trump Force One,” Trump used the platform to address what he perceives as threats to free speech in America and to criticize the current administration’s policies.
Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, emphasized the importance of protecting free speech, stating, “They’ve taken away your free speech, and the fake news threat is a threat to this country.” He promised to take action if re-elected, including signing an executive order “banning any federal employee from colluding to limit speech” and firing “any federal bureaucrat who engaged in domestic censorship under the Harris regime.”
The rally, held at the Central Wisconsin Airport, marked Trump’s fourth visit to Wisconsin during the current campaign cycle. However, it was his first trip to the deeply conservative, predominantly rural area of this crucial battleground state. Wisconsin has been a focal point for both major parties, with four of the last six presidential elections decided by less than one percentage point.
Trump’s comments on free speech and media criticism come in the wake of a scathing op-ed by New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger, published in the Washington Post just two days prior to the rally. In his piece, Sulzberger warned that “Trump stands out for his aggressive and sustained efforts to undermine the free press.” Sulzberger also cautioned Americans to be prepared for Trump’s potential use of an anti-media “playbook” if he wins in November.
Addressing the crowd, Trump defended his stance on media relations, saying, “When you’re a politician…, and you happen to be a Republican or somewhat conservative, they write just the opposite of what the facts are, and if you are driving a cab, if you’re an accountant, if you are a lawyer, if you are something other than that, you don’t know the details.” He added, “When we know the facts, and the story gets written the exact opposite of what it is, you start to lose faith in the press.”
The former president’s rally also touched on other key campaign issues, including immigration and border security. Trump criticized the Harris administration for what he described as loose border policies, linking them to increased crime rates and a drain on taxpayer resources nationwide.
Trump’s appearance in Wisconsin underscores the state’s significance in the upcoming election. Both he and Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent, have made frequent visits to the state this year. Recent polls conducted since President Biden’s withdrawal from the re-election race in July show Trump and Harris in a virtual tie among Wisconsin voters.
The importance of Wisconsin in the electoral landscape cannot be overstated. Democrats consider it a must-win “blue wall” state. In the 2020 election, Biden secured victory in Wisconsin by a margin of just under 21,000 votes, while Trump had carried the state by nearly 23,000 votes in 2016.
Trump’s focus on free speech and media relations at the rally reflects ongoing tensions between his campaign and various news outlets. Throughout his previous term and current campaign, Trump has frequently clashed with journalists and media organizations, often labeling unfavorable coverage as “fake news.”
The rally in Mosinee also saw Trump making several bold promises, including ending the Russia-Ukraine war before taking office and abolishing the Department of Education. These statements align with his campaign strategy of positioning himself as a transformative figure capable of making sweeping changes to government policy and international relations.
As the campaign intensifies, Trump’s rhetoric on free speech and media relations is likely to remain a central theme. His promises to protect free speech and reform media interactions, if elected, stand in stark contrast to warnings from figures like Sulzberger about potential threats to press freedom under a second Trump administration.
The rally in Mosinee, with its enthusiastic reception and Trump’s forceful messaging, sets the stage for what promises to be a closely watched and fiercely contested election in Wisconsin and across the nation. As both campaigns ramp up their efforts in key battleground states, the issues of free speech, media relations, and government transparency are poised to play significant roles in shaping voter perceptions and ultimately, the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
