7 memorable moments from Trump's Milwaukee visit

Molly Beck Bill Glauber
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

President Donald Trump arrived in Milwaukee Tuesday night to rally support for his re-election campaign by promising to keep Americans safe from terrorism and low water pressure. 

In a 90-minute speech, Trump touched on his decision to kill Iran's top military officer, the state's unemployment rate under his administration, and even low-flow faucets, dishwashers and toilets. 

Here are some of the most memorable moments from Tuesday's rally, and take a look back at our coverage of the day.

Lyndon Johnson might be in hell

President Lyndon B. Johnson visits Milwaukee and Wisconsin in 1964.

Lyndon Johnson died in 1973 and may have been in hell since then, President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday during a campaign rally in Milwaukee. 

In defending his "perfect phone call" with the Ukraine president that prompted his impeachment, Trump said other presidents have been "tougher" with fellow heads of state than him.

"In fact, if you go back and look at Lyndon Johnson, all of them. Lyndon Johnson was sort of a tough guy. Can you imagine his phone calls? He’s probably looking down or looking up, and he’s probably saying, these people have gone crazy."

Johnson is the second deceased Democrat Trump has suggested might be in hell. In December, Trump made similar comments about late Michigan Congressman John Dingell.

'Your dishes will be beautiful'

Trump has focused on issues of security throughout his first campaign and presidency. Now he's adding water pressure and incandescent light to the ways of life he says he will preserve as president. 

Trump told his crowd he "brought back the light bulb" that doesn't make people look orange, in a reference to his skin's own hue, and wouldn't allow the government to force Americans to buy dishwashers that don't have high enough water pressure to clean dishes.

"Anybody have a new dishwasher? I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry for that. It's worthless. They give you so little water. You ever see it? Air comes out. So little water," he said.

Trump added women had informed him about dishwashers not being the same as they used to be. 

The Trump administration has blocked a rule that requires incandescent light bulbs to be phased out permanently in favor of more energy-efficient LED light bulbs, and has asked for a study on water restrictions in appliances, faucets and toilets. 

'Son of a bitch'

Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, pictured on Sept. 18, 2016.

Perhaps the most applause and cheers came when Trump spoke about his use of military force to kill Iran's top commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. 

"Great percentages of people don’t have legs or arms because of this son of a bitch," Trump said, drawing huge cheers.

Sanders vs. Warren

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Bernie Sanders talk Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, after a Democratic presidential primary debate hosted by CNN and the Des Moines Register in Des Moines, Iowa.

Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren said this week her primary opponent Bernie Sanders told her in a private meeting in 2018 that a woman could not win a race for president. 

Sanders disputes this and on Tuesday, Trump took Sanders' side.

"That could happen, who knows," Trump said about a female president. "I don’t believe Bernie said that, I really don’t. ... It’s not the kind of a thing he’d say.”

Aaron Rodgers, 'good guy'

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) points to the fans after the Green Bay Packers 28-23 win over the Seattle Seahawks to advance to the NFC championship game.

You want a sure applause line, just mention the Green Bay Packers.

"So do we have any Green Bay Packer fans here tonight?" Trump said to roars. "That’s right. And you have a great quarterback who’s a good guy, a good guy."

But when it came to the Packers, Vice President Mike Pence topped Trump as he told the audience: "We're just 11 months away from Election Day 2020 and just five days away from when the Green Bay Packers defeat Nancy Pelosi's 49ers in the NFC Championship game."

Wisconsin Republicans, come on down

President Donald Trump introduces a group of Wisconsin Republican politicians as he speaks at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena where the president held a campaign rally in Milwaukee on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.

Trump trotted out Republican legislative leaders, House members, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (who offered a few more words from the podium) and ex-chief of staff Reince Priebus.

"This is a great group of Republican people, but more importantly, it's a great group of winners," Trump said.

He even called up former U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy. Trump talked about the ex-congressman's tenure as a CNN analyst, claiming his airtime was cut because he's pro-Trump.

"So what they've done is paid him money to silence him because he has a very important voice. Great job. Yeah, I like that kind of a job. I think he's OK with it. He gets his check, they refuse to put him on."

Pence visits Culver's

Vice President Mike Pence visits a Culver’s restaurant at West Layton Avenue and South 6th Street in Milwaukee on Tuesday.

The quick stop for some local Wisconsin food was a big thing when Barack Obama was president. Not so much in the Donald Trump era.

But shortly after landing at Mitchell International Airport, Pence took a quick detour to a local Culver's where he greeted diners and staff, posed for selfies and ordered a turtle sundae.

The veep paid in cash.

Holding the treat on his way out the door, he joked: "If any of you sees Mrs. Pence, there’s no reason to bring this up."