CONTACT: TJ Helmstetter, tjh@wisdems.org
WILL SCOTT WALKER STAND UP FOR WISCONSIN WORKERS & COMPANIES OR CONTINUE SUCKING UP TO TRUMP?
This morning, Donald Trump used his favorite bully pulpit, Twitter, to attack iconic Wisconsin company Harley-Davidson yet again. In response, Wisconsin’s GOP Majority Leader Jim Steineke tweeted at Trump to “stop attacking a great Wisconsin company.”
But where’s Scott Walker? Silent, again. Scott Walker claims to be a Harley lover, but maybe Trump was right when he said, “He doesn’t look like a motorcycle guy to me.”
REACTION FROM DPW:
“Yet again, Scott Walker puts his allegiance to Trump ahead of his duty to Wisconsin workers and an iconic Wisconsin company. This is part of a larger pattern of Walker putting his own personal ambitions ahead of what’s best for Wisconsin. It’s time for Walker to stop sucking up to Trump and start sticking up for Wisconsin’s workers, businesses, and families.” — TJ Helmstetter, DPW spokesperson for 2018 governor race
ICYMI, from last week…
Associated Press: Scott Walker, Wisconsin’s Harley-loving governor, put in bind with Trump
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s full-throttled love of Harley-Davidson motorcycles has been intertwined with his rising political career, but now he must navigate revved up criticism of the Milwaukee-based company from President Donald Trump.
The two Republicans plan to share a stage Thursday at a groundbreaking for the Foxconn Technology Group’s $10 billion liquid-crystal display factory in Racine County — an event that could prompt some awkward moments in the wake of Harley’s announcement to produce some of its signature motorcycles overseas instead of the U.S. […]
Trump made fun of Walker for his love of motorcycles during the presidential race. At a rally in Janesville in 2016, Trump said: “He doesn’t look like a motorcycle guy to me. I’m sorry.”
Wisconsin Public Radio: Trump’s Attacks On Harley-Davidson Put Walker In Awkward Spot
Gov. Scott Walker remained mum Tuesday about President Donald Trump’s threats to raise taxes on Harley-Davidson after the Wisconsin company said it would shift some production overseas to offset retaliatory tariffs.
Trump’s comments, and his scheduled visit to Wisconsin later this week, create a potentially awkward situation for Walker, who has built a political brand out of his love for Harley motorcycles.
In a series of tweets that began Monday and resumed Tuesdaymorning, Trump accused Harley of being “the first to wave the White Flag” in a dispute with other countries over tariffs and trade barriers.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Donald Trump threatens Harley-Davidson with tax hikes as he prepares to visit Wisconsin
President Donald Trump escalated his scolding of Harley-Davidson Inc. on Tuesday for its plans to move some of its production overseas, threatening to increase taxes on an iconic Wisconsin brand that he said had lost its aura.
The president’s comments came two days before Trump was to visit the state for a groundbreaking ceremony for Foxconn Technology Group’s plant in Mount Pleasant.
They put the state’s top Republicans in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between their president and a company that has helped define Wisconsin and its economy.
GOP Gov. Scott Walker avoided taking sides, saying he agreed with Trump’s long-term strategy on trade without weighing in on how it was affecting Harley-Davidson now.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Donald Trump heads to Wisconsin to celebrate Foxconn amid his attacks on Harley-Davidson
President Donald Trump is coming to Wisconsin to officiate at Thursday’s ceremonial groundbreaking for the massive Foxconn Technology Group project in Racine County — and to put his personal stamp on his vision of an American manufacturing revival.
And while he’s in one of the country’s pivotal battleground states, he’ll also raise some campaign cash for Republicans.
But the visit comes amid a swirl of controversy, as Trump has launched attacks against Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson over its reaction to his trade policies.