HOWELL, MI — During an interaction with a reporter, Donald Trump seemed to reject criticism of his campaign’s choice to visit a Michigan town known for having ties to white supremacy, pointing out President Joe Biden once appeared there too.
Trump spoke during a campaign stop about crime and safety at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday afternoon. He touched on numerous topics regarding safety concerns he’s been addressing throughout his campaign like immigration, border control and the importance of local police.
The Trump campaign’s decision to host this event in Howell recently drew criticism from the Harris campaign and her Democratic allies, who noted the community’s long history with white supremacy groups.
“Trump is choosing to rally in a town that was historically known as ‘the KKK capital of Michigan,’” Alyssa Bradley, communications director for the Harris campaign in Michigan, said in a statement before Trump arrived. “This event on crime and safety isn’t a dog whistle from Trump – it’s a bullhorn.”
As Trump ended the event and began to shake the hands of Michigan law enforcement he was asked a question from a reporter within the audience: “Mr. President, can you respond to Kamala Harris’ campaign attacking you for being in this town because they say there were white supremacists here a week ago?” the reporter asked.
The question was followed by some boos.
Trump then took to the podium and asked, “Who was here in 2021?”
As someone in the audience responded, “Joe Biden,” a smile filled Trump’s face, and he let out a laugh.
“Thank you,” he said, as crowd members began to clap. “Thank you everybody.”
Read more: ‘F*** Biden’ signs outside Michigan presidential visit were embarrassing, says congresswoman
Trump was referencing President Joe Biden’s October 2021 trip near the Michigan town to promote a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and a $3.5 trillion package to expand social programs.
A white supremacist group recently marched through Howell at the end of July. About a dozen people with the group chanted “Heil Hitler” while carrying Nazi and KKK flags, passing around white supremacist literature and displaying banners with anti-Semitic messages.
Read more: Howell officials condemn white supremacist march through downtown
While the July 21 demonstration was without incident and city leaders recognized the group’s right to free speech, Howell Mayor Bob Ellis said the group’s values were not the values of the city.
The mayor acknowledged the city’s history with white supremacist leader Robert E. Miles, who was the Michigan Grand Dragon of the KKK in the 1970s. Ellis was not sure if that is why the demonstrators were comfortable coming to Howell.
This article was originally published by a www.mlive.com . Read the Original article here. .