President Trump toured western Wisconsin on Friday, a region dominated by beef, dairy and corn farms, to rally support for Rep. Derrick Van Orden ahead of the midterm contest in the state’s swing Third Congressional District. Farmers have felt pressure from the administration’s tariff regime and higher fuel costs tied to the war in Iran, prompting the president’s outreach and lower farm costs.

During the rain‑soaked gathering, Trump praised the physique of former NFL player Joe Thomas and accepted a gold medal from Olympic speedskater Jordan Stolz, while highlighting policy wins for agriculture. He cited a law restoring whole‑milk to school menus, a cut to estate‑tax burdens for family farms, and the elimination of diesel‑exhaust‑fluid rules that he claimed had hampered growers for growers.

Local reactions were mixed. Eau Claire resident Randy Craker, a three‑time Trump voter, noted gasoline at $4.09 a gallon and said he still trusts the president’s “patriotic” vision despite short‑term price spikes. Meanwhile, former candidate Rebecca Cooke warned that Republican promises have left rural voters feeling betrayed, a sentiment that could tighten the already narrow margin in Van Orden’s district in the region.