Trump answers question about affordable housing, outlines new IVF plan at La Crosse town hall (2024)

The streets of downtown La Crosse were filled with “Make America Great Again” merchandise as fans and supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered for his first event in the region in four years.

The Republican nominee for president held a town hall Thursday at the La Crosse Center, where he touched on several campaign issues. He discussed his concerns about the economy, immigration, crime, his newly introduced policy regarding IVF accessibility, and largely, his opposition – Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

“We love our country – it’s amazing. It’s a great country, but we have to take it back,” said Trump. “Our country’s not feeling so well nowadays, and we’re going to bring it back. We’re going to make it healthy and beautiful and better than ever.”

Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard served as the event’s moderator. In 2020, Gabbard was one of the final contenders seeking the Democratic nomination for president. However, a lot has changed since then, as on Monday, the former Democrat endorsed Donald Trump for president.

“I am so excited about the opportunity that we have before us to stand together, not as Democrats and Republicans, but as Americans who love this great country,” said Gabbard. “There is a lot of work to be done – the stakes could not be higher than they are right now. … He and he alone is the candidate to lead us toward that path of peace, prosperity and freedom.”

Gabbard asked Trump a series of questions, with one particularly hitting home for her, as something she and her husband struggled with – fertility.

During an earlier stop in Michigan on Thursday, the former president announced he wants to make IVF treatments free for women, paid for by the government or their insurance companies.

Trump also answered questions from three people from the Coulee Region. The local guests asked Trump about his thoughts on inflation, the job market, crime, immigration and international policy.

A student at UW-La Crosse, Luke P., said he struggles with expenses as he lives on his own, and dreams of eventually becoming a homeowner – something he said did not seem possible at the moment.

“They say you vote with your stomach – I don’t know if you’ve heard it, but it’s a little bit true. … Groceries and food have gone up in levels that nobody’s ever seen before,” said Trump. “We’re going to become the energy capital of the world. We’re going to pay down our debt and we’re going to reduce your taxes. And your groceries are going to come tumbling down, and your interest rates are going to be tumbling down, and then you’re going to go out and buy your beautiful house.”

Trump’s visit to La Crosse marks his first visit to western Wisconsin this campaign cycle. The former president has made several other Wisconsin stops during his campaign, including Racine, Waukesha and Green Bay. He was also in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention in July, where he accepted the Republican presidential nomination.

In anticipation of his arrival, people waited in line since Wednesday evening, hoping to get the best spot for the event.

“It’s wonderful, I’m glad that he’s coming to see the local people,” Marlene Tolkinen, an attendee in line, said. “I believe in the principles and policies that he’s working on. I just want to support him and show that support.”

Doors to the La Crosse Center closed around 5:30 p.m. when the venue reached a maximum capacity of about 6,500 attendees. An estimated 200 people were still waiting outside.

“I will never be a liberal ever in my life, so that’s why I’m here,” said Hayden Dais, who wore a ‘Women for Trump’ shirt to Thursday’s event. “I think that they just don’t do their research and they just follow other people. They’re afraid to stand up for their own beliefs. But obviously, we do. We are not scared to do that.”

While waiting in line, some event attendees started chanting against the Democratic ticket of Harris and Walz, which a visitor on the nearby Viking Mississippi cruise ship overheard to her dismay.

“One thing I heard when I was walking down was people chanting, ‘Say no to the ho,’ which I think is just so disrespectful. … The fish rots from the head down, right? And that’s what happened,” said Lydia Gregory. “When somebody who is in power believes you can say that about women and their opponents — and I understand being against your opponent, that’s absolutely fine — but the absolute misogyny and disrespect that’s going on is just really tough to hear, but that comes from their leader.”

Others walking downtown who did not attend the event and did not support the campaign, shared similar feelings to Gregory toward Trump’s visit and the energy attendees brought with them.

“Any person supporting an insurrectionist is a traitor to our city,” said Henry Madsen. “It’s pretty disgraceful. I think these people are vile and anti-American.”

Others sought to learn more about Trump and his views.

“We’re not really supporting, we are just here out of curiosity,” said Jomana Ali.

His opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, visited La Crosse earlier this year, before she became the Democratic Party’s nominee for president. Harris visited the Hmong Cultural and Community Center and the La Crosse Center, where she met with nursing home care workers to discuss the Biden Administration’s efforts to support the industry and reproductive rights.

She returned to western Wisconsin earlier this month to rally in Eau Claire with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Many other events went on downtown alongside Trump’s visit, including the Moon Tunes concert series just two blocks away, and a Viking Mississippi cruise ship docked at Riverside Park.

However, the originally scheduled pre-concert at Moon Tunes was canceled as the Secret Service instructed the Viking Mississippi cruise ship to depart earlier than scheduled because of the former president’s visit.

Riverside South and the southern levee area were closed through Friday for security purposes during the candidate’s visit.

- River Valley Media Group Reporter Caden Perry contributed to this article.