ASHWAUBENON - President Donald Trump visited northeastern Wisconsin Thursday for the first of what are expected to be multiple campaign visits to the state by the president and his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden.
Trump arrived at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport on Air Force One just before 1 p.m. and immediately got into a black SUV that took him to the nearby Jet Air Group facility for a town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity and about 50 supporters.
During the interview with Hannity, which aired at 8 p.m., Trump discussed protests held in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police and accused some of wanting to "destabilize our country." He blamed unrest in Madison and the assault of a state senator this week on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, contending it wouldn't have happened under former Republican Gov. Scott Walker.
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In response to Trump's statement, Courtney Beyer, communications director for the Wisconsin Democrats, tweeted a photo of Act 10 protests in Madison with the comment: "I too remember when no one protested when Scott Walker was in charge."
The president also directed much of his attention to Biden.
“I don’t want to be nice or un-nice, but the man can’t speak, and he’s going to be a president because some people don’t love me maybe," he said.
Afterward, Trump left the airport just before 3 p.m.on the Marine One helicopter to fly to Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, where he toured the shipbuilding yard and spoke about a $5.5 billion contract recently awarded to the company.
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RELATED:Marquette poll: Joe Biden leads Donald Trump by 49% to 41% in Wisconsin
Town hall attendees as well as anti-Trump protesters gathered at the airport in advance of the president's arrival.
By 10:45 a.m., more than 40 people were in line at Jet Air Group, waiting in the sun for the doors to open at about 11:30 a.m. Many were dressed in suits and dresses; others wore golf shirts and shorts. Some wore red Trump hats or "Keep America Great" hats.
Attendance in the town hall was limited to 50 people due to coronavirus concerns. All audience members had their temperature checked and were required to wear a face covering — either their own or one provided by Fox News. No media other than Fox News were allowed inside during the taping.
Trump took questions from three audience members during the hour-long town hall, telling a woman from Wausau that he "bought a lot of Wausau windows over the years."
Dave Ninnemann of Suamico said there was no particular thing he hoped to hear from Trump.
“It’s a unique event … you can actually see a sitting president in person,” he said. “I’m very curious to see what happens.”
Asked if he was a Trump supporter, Ninneman said he is an American and a veteran who votes for the candidate who best serves his family and their beliefs.
“In this case, it’s going to be President Trump over Biden.”
Amy Meltesen of Green Bay and Barbara Anderson of Suamico were disappointed not to get tickets but showed up nonetheless.
“They went really fast,” Meltesen said of the tickets. “I was still trying to find out how to get some, and then it sold out. I’m not quick enough."
Meltesen said she and Anderson would wait to see Air Force One arrive.
“We just want to be part of the excitement and showing our support,” she said.
“And maybe we’ll see Sean Hannity,” Anderson added.
About 50 people gathered outside the Jet Air building while Trump and Hannity recorded the town hall, chanting “Black Lives Matter” and “Let us live, let us breathe.”
The protest was organized by the Coalition to March on the Democratic National Convention, Justice for Jonathon Tubby, Black Lives United - GB, Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement and the Wisconsin Freedom Road Socialist Organization. In all it drew about 100 people.
Speakers were scheduled to include members of Black Lives United - GB and Danielle Karl, the sister of Jonathon Tubby, a member of the Oneida Nation who died in police custody in October 2018.
Jamie Kuehnl of Marquette, Mich., who came with her daughter Jazzie to protest, said the U.S. needs a president who will start unifying the country.
“We’re really disappointed with the leadership in this country and ready for someone who does not stand for racist ideals, homophobia, transphobia and does not rally people to the point of violence,” Kuehnl said. “This generation is trying to make a difference, and I’m here for her generation."
Earlier, about two dozen Trump supporters and a handful of protesters gathered on the sidewalk near the terminal to watch Air Force One arrive.
Stanley Bailey of Green Bay, wearing a MAGA hat and a red University of Wisconsin jersey, was among those holding cell phones, waiting to record the airplane arriving.
“It’s the president, you know,” he said. “It’s a pretty big deal. He leads the country.”
Erik Bertaud, also of Green Bay, was holding a sign that said “Trump’s Word Bubble” and contained words he felt described the president’s character.
“The president seems to be oblivious that many of us out here are opposed to everything he stands for,” Bertaud said.
Bertaud contended Trump has mismanaged the coronavirus response, but said his biggest concerns are about the environment.
“He and his cronies have lifted every environmental regulation in the country,” he said.
When it appeared Trump had deplaned, cheers went up from supporters, while Bertaud and perhaps another protester booed.
A few minutes later, a brief yelling match broke out between supporters who chanted, “Four more years!” and “Law and order!” and the few protesters near the landing site.
Trump's visit to the state comes as the most recent Marquette University Law School Poll found Biden increasing his lead over Trump in Wisconsin, a state that is expected to be a key battleground in the November presidential election.
Biden had the support of 49% of registered voters, compared with Trump's 41%, according to poll results released Wednesday.
In other signs of the importance of the state in the election, Vice President Mike Pence visited Waukesha County, a Republican stronghold, on Tuesday to discuss school choice, religious faith and other issues with supporters.
On the Democratic side, Jill Biden will hold a virtual campaign event for her husband in Milwaukee on Friday with California Sen. Kamala Harris, a top contender to be Biden's running mate.
At the Marinette shipbuilding plant, Trump was expected to focus part of his visit on the economic impact of the $5.5 billion U.S. Navy contract awarded to Fincantieri last month to build a new frigate for the Navy. The company plans to hire about 1,000 additional employees to work on an order than includes options for up to 10 ships.
Contact Haley BeMiller at hbemiller@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @haleybemiller.
Contact Sammy Gibbons at (920) 431-8396 or sgibbons@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @sammykgibbons or Facebook at https://ift.tt/2S0Tyty.
Contact Kent Tempus at (920) 431-8226 or ktempus@gannett.com.
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