MADISON, Wis. — Prior to Donald Trump’s visit to western Wisconsin last Friday to campaign for Congressmen Tom Tiffany and Derrick Van Orden, WisDems held a virtual press call with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, State Senator Jeff Smith, and Chippewa Valley Bean farmer Cindy Brown. Each of the speakers shared the ways in which GOP policies like the war-of-choice with Iran and tariff taxes have had devastating impacts on Wisconsin’s farmers, including Brown’s farming business. While Wisconsinites suffer from rising prices, Tom Tiffany and Derrick Van Orden have been a rubber stamp for Trump and the GOP’s extreme, costly, and reckless agenda.

See coverage of the event below: 

WPR: Trump visit to Chippewa Falls highlights rural agenda in nationally watched swing district

In a call with reporters Friday morning, Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the reality is different.

“The truth is that Wisconsin farmers have been hit really hard by Donald Trump’s MAGA agenda, by the tariffs, the trade wars, and his totally unnecessary and illegal war in Iran,” Baldwin said.

WIZM: Baldwin says Trump’s stop in the swing state shows he’s nervous

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin says President Trump’s visit to a rural swing district in Wisconsin shows he knows Republicans are in trouble in the midterms.

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“They know they’re in trouble,” Baldwin said of Republicans. “They know across the country they’re in trouble.”

Baldwin says Trump’s visit is “not going to do the job in convincing our farmers they are doing better than they’re doing. They know the reality.”

WKBT: Trump to visit Wisconsin farmers for roundtable in Chippewa Falls Friday

However, Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin criticized Trump’s agricultural policies and questioned the purpose of his visit.

“I don’t know what he’s going to say to our farmers when he visits the Chippewa Valley this week, but I hope he listens to our farmers, not just speaks at them, because they are hurting,” Baldwin said.

WQOW: Area Democrats respond to historic area visit from President Donald Trump

“Rural folks in my district, they’re having a hard time under this MAGA economy,” said Sen. Jeff Smith of Eau Claire. “Inflation numbers show that Wisconsin households are paying $2,267 more on average for everyday essentials since Trump took office.”

Another Democrat criticized the economic impact on farmers specifically.

“Farmers are paying more for their inputs and getting paid less for their outputs because President Trump and my Republican colleagues in Congress and their policies,” Sen. Tammy Baldwin said. “For many farmers this means an impossible choice: sell at a loss or pay to store crops and hope that prices improve in the future.”

WDJT: President Trump visits Wisconsin, speaks to farmers and discusses Iran war

Before Trump arrived in the Dairy State, Democrats held a press conference where they had a local kidney bean farmer share her concerns. Cindy Brown is a Chippewa Valley bean farmer. She says the direct hit to her company, Chippewa Valley Bean, has been difficult.

“Chippewa Valley Bean cannot ship beans to our customers in Dubai, because vessels cannot transit the Strait of Hormuz,” Brown said. “Now, on top of that, other freight costs into the Gulf have increased by $4,000 a load, and we can’t afford those prices, nor can our customers.”

She says the continued Republican support for the Iran war is disappointing and that she isn’t the only farmer being harmed. There was also a protest as President Trump landed in Wisconsin. Those protesters were joined by two democratic candidates for Governor. Each highlighted what they have been hearing from farmers.

PBS WISCONSIN: Trump visits Wisconsin to tout his agriculture tax breaks

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin:

“This president has launched us into an illegal, an entirely unnecessary war in Iran. This war that no one wanted has tragically taken the lives of 13 service members. It’s taken the president’s time and focus and has taken money out of the pockets of our farmers. Because of this war, diesel prices hit record highs in Wisconsin last month, up 80% from the year before, and global fertilizer prices have jumped 50% in recent months. Farmers are paying more for their inputs and getting less for their outputs because President Trump and my Republican colleagues in the Congress and their policies. For many farmers, this means an impossible choice: Sell at a loss or pay to store crops and hope that prices improve in the future.”

WITI: Trump in Wisconsin: President talks farming, agenda

“Wisconsin farmers and rural families have heard a lot of promises from Donald Trump, from Tom Tiffany, from Derrick Van Orden,” said U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin). “What they’ve also seen are higher costs, more uncertainty and policies that are making it harder and harder for them to get ahead.”

Baldwin’s swipe at U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin) comes in what could be a tight midterm race to represent Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. The incumbent, Van Orden, is seeking a third term.