Trump knocks Pelosi's Taiwan trip, touts endorsement record in Wisconsin rally

Former President Donald Trump hosted a rally Friday evening in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels and other Wisconsin Republicans to whom he has lent his support.

Trump began his speech by criticizing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for visiting Taiwan, saying she gave Beijing an "excuse" to invade the island. The speaker arrived in the island this week despite repeated warnings from China that doing so would escalate tensions.

“What was she doing in Taiwan? She was China's dream,” Trump said.

“Everything she touches turns to you know what,” he added.

Trump also celebrated the string of primary election successes by Trump-endorsed candidates on Tuesday, citing wins in Arizona and Michigan. Trump-backed Kari Lake won the Arizona gubernatorial primary while Blake Masters claimed victory in the senatorial contest. He also referenced Tudor Dixon's win in the Michigan gubernatorial primary and John Gibb's successful ouster of Michigan Republican Rep. Peter Meijer, who voted to impeach Trump.

Trump spent much of his speech lamenting the policy changes his successor, President Joe Biden, made which he asserted led to the nation's current economic and geopolitical state. "The job could have been done," Trump said of the border wall, which he insists was three weeks away from completion before Biden canceled the project.

"You can take the five worst Presidents in American history and put them together and they would not have done the damage Joe Biden has done to our country in less than two short years,” he said.

The former president then turned his attention to voter fraud, citing a recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision ruling that ballot drop boxes were illegal in the state. He also acknowledged former state Supreme Court judge Michael Gableman, who conducted the state's election audit. Galbeman, as Trump quoted him, said "rampant fraud and abuse occurred statewide."

Trump also pointed to electoral issues in the Tuesday primary in Arizona, noting that Pinal County experienced a shortage of ballots, but said the candidates he endorsed still overcame the alleged fraud. The irregularities prompted the county to oust its top elections official, David Frisk.

"I ran twice and I won twice," Trump said. "And now, we may just have to do it again."

Speaking immediately prior to Trump, Michels promised to require voter I.D. in the state, to pass universal school choice, and to combat rising crime in the state.

Among the other speakers were Michels, GOP Wisconsin House candidate Derrick van Orden, and GOP Wisconsin state Rep. Janel Brandtjen. The rally precedes the state's Republican primary, which will take place on Tuesday.