President Donald Trump visited the rural town of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on June 5, 2026, to connect with one of his key support bases: farmers. Local media interpreted this visit as an effort to reassure his agricultural supporters.
According to reports from the Associated Press and others, Chippewa Falls, with a population of 14,000, is the largest city in Chippewa County. In the 2024 presidential election, 60.9% of the county's 66,254 residents voted for Trump, indicating strong Republican support in the area.
The Trump administration has actively supported farmers and rural communities, maintaining a favorable stance on H-2A visas for agricultural workers while imposing restrictions on H-1B visas for high-income professionals. However, reports indicate that farmers have faced challenges due to aggressive tariff policies and rising prices for fuel and fertilizers following the Iran conflict. The region surrounding Chippewa Falls is home to 17,000 farms and numerous dairy operations.
During his first visit to Wisconsin since the election, Trump emphasized his affection and support for farmers in a roundtable meeting. "We love farmers, and we love everything about your state," he stated. He also addressed the concerns of farmers affected by rising prices due to the Iran conflict, assuring them that "fertilizer prices are down, energy prices are down, and gasoline prices will also drop."
Minnesota Fox 9, a conservative affiliate of Fox News, described Trump's visit as an event aimed at appealing to farmers who strongly supported him in the 2024 election. Additionally, Trump and the Republican Party need to secure seats in the upcoming November midterm elections to maintain their influence in the House of Representatives. Congressman Derrick Van Orden, whose district includes Chippewa Falls, narrowly defeated his Democratic opponent with 51% of the vote in the last two elections.
Among local residents, some expressed continued support for Trump while remaining cautious about Congressman Van Orden. Randy Cracker, a 66-year-old city employee from nearby Eau Claire, told The New York Times that he still believes in Trump's patriotic vision for the country but criticized Van Orden for not holding promised town hall meetings. Cracker noted that he believes the short-term turmoil from rising fuel prices is worth enduring.
Fox 9 also predicted that rural areas in Wisconsin will be battlegrounds in the upcoming midterm elections. The nonpartisan political analysis site Cook Political Report has reclassified the Chippewa Falls area from leaning Republican to a toss-up, according to the Associated Press.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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