Current:Home > MyTrump will campaign in Minnesota after attending his son Barron’s graduation -ProfitLogic
Trump will campaign in Minnesota after attending his son Barron’s graduation
View
Date:2025-04-13 03:20:13
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will head to Minnesota on a day off from his hush money trial for a Republican fundraiser Friday night in a traditionally Democratic state that he boasts he can carry in November.
Trump will headline the state GOP’s annual Lincoln Reagan dinner, which coincides with the party’s state convention, after attending his son Barron’s high school graduation in Florida.
Trump will use part of the day granted by the trial judge for the graduation to campaign in Minnesota, a state he argues he can win in the November rematch with President Joe Biden. No Republican presidential candidate has won Minnesota since Richard Nixon in 1972, but Trump came close to flipping the state in 2016, when he fell 1.5 percentage points short of Hillary Clinton.
Trump returned to Minnesota several times in 2020, when Biden beat him by more than 7 points.
“I think this is something Trump wants to do. He believes this is a state he can win. We believe that’s the case as well,” David Hann, the chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, said in an interview.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota, a Biden ally, said the Trump campaign is “grasping at straws” if it thinks he can win the state.
“The Biden campaign is going to work hard for every vote,” Smith said in an interview. “We’re going to engage with voters all over the state. But I think Minnesota voters are going to choose President Biden.”
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s complete coverage of this year’s election.
Trump will appear at Friday’s dinner after going to see Barron Trump’s graduation from the private Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. The former president had long complained Judge Juan M. Merchan would not let him attend the graduation before Merchan agreed not to hold court Friday.
Hann is co-hosting Friday’s dinner along with Trump’s state campaign chair, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, who represents a central Minnesota district. Hann said Emmer was instrumental in bringing the former president to Minnesota.
The dinner coincides with the party’s state convention. Tickets started at $500, ranging up to $100,000 for a VIP table for 10 with three photo opportunities with Trump. Hann declined to say how much money he expects it will raise, but he anticipates a full house of around 1,400 people.
All the money from the dinner tickets will go to the state party, Hann said, though he added that some money from photo opportunities may go to the Trump campaign.
Experts are split on whether Minnesota really will be competitive this time, given its history and the strong Democratic Party ground game in the state. But Hann said there’s “great dissatisfaction with President Biden” in the state, noting that nearly 19% of Democratic voters in its Super Tuesday primary marked their ballots for “uncommitted.” That was at least partly due to a protest-vote movement over Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war that has spread to several states.
In an interview aired Wednesday by KSTP-TV of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Trump said his speech would focus on economic issues. And he repeated a false claim he made in March to KNSI Radio of St. Cloud that he thought he actually won Minnesota in 2020, even though there’s no evidence that there were any serious irregularities in the state.
“We think we have a really good shot at Minnesota,” Trump told KSTP. “We have great friendships up there. We’ve done a lot for industry. We’ve done a lot for everything in Minnesota. Worked hard on Minnesota. Tom Emmer is very much involved.”
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2024 election at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024.
veryGood! (6783)
Related
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- The Daily Money: Do Harris ads masquerade as news?
- Katy Perry's new music video investigated by Balearic Islands' environmental ministry
- Romania says gymnast will get disputed bronze medal Friday despite ongoing US challenge
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Tropical Storm Ernesto batters northeast Caribbean and aims at Puerto Rico as it strengthens
- Replacing a championship coach is hard. But Sherrone Moore has to clean up Jim Harbaugh's mess, too.
- Michael Bolton says 'all is good' after fan spots police cars at singer's Connecticut home
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Inflation likely stayed low last month as Federal Reserve edges closer to cutting rates
Ranking
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- London security ramps up ahead of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, safety experts weigh in
- Family and friends of actor Johnny Wactor urge more action to find his killers
- 3 years into a life sentence, Alex Murdaugh to get his day before the South Carolina Supreme Court
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- UCLA can’t allow protesters to block Jewish students from campus, judge rules
- How much should I have in my emergency fund? More than you think.
- Alaska appeals court clears way to challenge juvenile life sentences
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Janet Jackson says she's related to Stevie Wonder, Samuel L. Jackson and Tracy Chapman
‘No concrete leads’ in search for escaped inmate convicted of murder, North Carolina sheriff says
Jorō spiders, the mysterious arachnids invading the US, freeze when stressed, study shows
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
10 college football freshmen ready to make an instant impact this season
Porsha Williams' cousin and co-star Yolanda Favors dies at 34: 'Love you always'
Federal board urges stricter safety rules for loading and dispatching charter flights like air tours