St. Paul, Minnesota – Former President Donald Trump made a strategic move to campaign in Minnesota, a traditionally Democratic state, as part of his plan to expand the electoral map for the upcoming November elections. Despite being on a break from his ongoing hush money trial, Trump headlined a Republican fundraiser in St. Paul where he confidently stated his intention to win the state.
At the state GOP’s annual Lincoln Reagan dinner, Trump highlighted his administration’s impact on rejuvenating the Iron Range, a region in northeastern Minnesota known for iron mining. With a population primarily consisting of union and blue-collar workers, the area has shown a recent trend towards Republican support despite its Democratic history.
During his speech, Trump launched verbal attacks on President Joe Biden, criticizing his presidency and character with strong language. He also playfully mocked Biden’s golfing abilities, drawing laughs and applause from the audience. The former president’s visit to Minnesota was part of his strategy to secure a victory in a state that has not been won by a Republican presidential candidate since 1972.
The dinner event, which coincided with the state party’s convention, attracted around 1,400 attendees, including notable figures like former U.S. Sen. Rudy Boschwitz and MyPillow founder Mike Lindell. Tickets for the fundraiser ranged from $500 to $100,000 for a VIP table with multiple photo opportunities with Trump. The state party, which had been in debt for a decade, announced that they were finally debt-free due to the fundraiser.
Amidst speculations about Minnesota’s competitiveness in the upcoming election, the Republican Party of Minnesota expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to secure a victory in the state. However, Democratic leaders like U.S. Sen. Tina Smith remain skeptical, emphasizing their commitment to engaging with voters and supporting President Biden.
Despite Trump’s claim of winning Minnesota in the 2020 election, there is no evidence to support this assertion. His youngest son, Barron Trump, recently graduated from a private school in Florida, prompting Trump to rearrange his schedule to attend the ceremony. The former president’s determination to campaign in Minnesota reflects his confidence in flipping the state in the upcoming election.