In Mosinee, Wisconsin, just days before his scheduled debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric by posting a warning on his social media site. Trump threatened to jail those he claimed were involved in “unscrupulous behavior” during the election, which he said would be closely monitored. He insisted that, if victorious, he would prosecute those responsible for cheating with severe legal consequences, including long-term prison sentences. This statement comes despite widespread consensus that instances of election fraud are extremely rare.
Trump further elaborated that his legal threats extended to a wide range of individuals, including lawyers, political operatives, donors, voters who acted illegally, and corrupt election officials. He vowed that these individuals would face unprecedented levels of accountability if he were to win the presidency again.
This latest message reflects Trump’s ongoing threat to leverage the powers of the presidency for retribution should he secure a second term. Despite Trump’s persistent claims of widespread election fraud in the 2020 election, no substantial evidence has emerged to support these allegations. In fact, multiple courts, state officials (including Republicans), and even members of Trump’s own administration have affirmed that he lost the 2020 election fairly.
Interestingly, Trump recently acknowledged in a podcast interview that he “lost by a whisker,” a rare admission regarding his 2020 defeat. However, this admission has not stopped him from veering away from traditional debate preparation in the lead-up to his face-off with Harris. Instead of focusing on policy or debate strategy, Trump has taken to holding rallies and bringing attention to his legal challenges and grievances.
At a rally in Wisconsin, Trump delved into familiar complaints, claiming that the “Harris-Biden DOJ” wanted to imprison him for exposing corruption. He delivered his speech behind bulletproof glass, a new security measure following an assassination attempt in July. As part of his speech, Trump revived his 2016 campaign pledge to “drain the swamp,” promising to expel the “corrupt political class” and “cut the fat out of our government,” should he return to the Oval Office.
He also introduced a new plan to create a “Government Efficiency Commission,” which would be led by Elon Musk. This commission would be tasked with auditing the federal government to identify waste and inefficiencies. Trump assured the audience that his administration would take down bloodthirsty cartels, transnational gangs, and radical Islamic terrorists, in contrast to what he labeled the politically motivated actions of the Department of Justice under Kamala Harris.
Harris’ campaign responded swiftly. Her spokesperson, Sarafina Chitika, warned that if Trump were reelected, he would use his power to prosecute his enemies and pardon those involved in the January 6 Capitol attack. Harris, meanwhile, has been focused on preparing for the debate, meeting with aides in Pittsburgh and emphasizing her message of unity and healing for the country. Harris said she would aim to address the need to move beyond divisiveness and bring the country together.
Both candidates have frequently visited Wisconsin, recognizing it as a crucial battleground state. Trump narrowly won Wisconsin in 2016, while President Joe Biden won it by a slim margin in 2020. Recent polls indicate that Harris and Trump are locked in a tight race for the state’s electoral votes.
During his rally, Trump continued his pattern of harsh criticism of Harris, warning that her leadership would lead to chaos and tyranny, even describing the potential future under her as a “banana republic.” He also lashed out at the Democrats’ immigration policies, accusing them of importing criminals. However, studies have consistently shown that immigrants, including those in the country illegally, commit fewer violent crimes than native-born citizens.
Trump’s rhetoric about the ongoing threat of foreign interference in U.S. elections also resurfaced during his rally. Despite warnings from U.S. officials about Russian disinformation campaigns, Trump ridiculed these concerns, dismissing them as baseless.
Among Trump’s supporters at the rally was Dale Osuldsen, who was celebrating his 68th birthday. Osuldsen expressed his hope that a second Trump administration would combat “cancel culture” and restore America to its foundational values. Similarly, Tennessee musician Sean Moon, who goes by the stage name “King Bullethead,” likened Trump to a rockstar, praising his resilience against what he described as efforts by the “deep state” to destroy him.
Trump’s rally drew supporters from across the state, including many from rural areas, where Republicans typically perform well. In contrast, Democrats tend to rely on high turnout in the urban centers of Milwaukee and Madison. Both campaigns are keenly aware of the importance of winning Wisconsin, as the state has historically played a pivotal role in determining the outcome of presidential elections.
