Trump's Midterm Launch
Trump Launches 2026 Midterm Campaign in Wisconsin, Touting Farm Policies Amid Voter Doubts
President Donald Trump launched his 2026 midterm campaigning with a farmer-focused visit to Custer Farms in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, telling rural voters that Republicans are their “only option” and criticizing Democratic policies as harmful to agriculture. At the rally, Trump highlighted the administration’s approach—tax cuts, deregulation, and tariffs framed as supportive of farmers—along with measures such as promoting E15 gasoline and changes intended to ease regulations affecting waterways and biodiesel production. He also addressed the administration’s stance on the U.S. war against Iran, arguing it is necessary and promising that it will eventually lower gas prices. While Trump sought to reassure supporters with claims about improving conditions, a survey cited at the event found most farmers do not believe their finances have improved, with many pointing to tariffs and the Iran conflict as pressure points. The stop doubled as political support for Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden ahead of a competitive 2026 race, as Democrats targeted the seat and local crowds showed both enthusiasm and ongoing economic concern. Separately, the administration pointed to broader economic momentum, including a jobs report showing continued hiring and a steady unemployment rate.
Key Points
At the Custer Farms roundtable, Trump stood alongside prominent Wisconsin Republicans, including Sen. Ron Johnson and Rep. Derrick Van Orden, as he told rural voters that Republicans are the “only option.”
Trump linked administration policies to specific, near-term cost claims, saying to farmers: “Your fertilizer’s down, your energy’s down, your gasoline is going to come down.”
A separate thread of the administration’s economic pitch included prior aid and tax changes: the articles say the Trump administration provided a $12 billion farmer bailout, paired with tax incentives for rural communities and changes to estate taxes aimed at helping farm families keep their land.
While the May jobs data was described as strong, the reporting added labor-market nuance: the unemployment rate stayed at 4.3%, employers added 172,000 jobs, and the share of Americans in long-term unemployment (out of work at least 27 weeks) increased even as short-term unemployment declined.
The event’s atmosphere was described as unusually large and enthusiastic—Fox 9 reported a “full house” inside and an overflow crowd waiting in rain, with chants of “USA, USA” during Trump’s remarks.
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