JD Vance Milwaukee visit: VP touts fraud work, Dems critical
Vance touts work on fraud, Democrats critical
Vice President JD Vance touted work to address fraud during a visit to Milwaukee, while Democrats voiced criticism of the Trump administration's economic plan, on Wednesday.
MILWAUKEE - Vice President JD Vance touted work to address fraud, while Democrats voiced criticism of the Trump administration's economic plan, during a visit to Milwaukee on Wednesday.
What did JD Vance say?
What they're saying:
The vice president had a private event at The Pfister Hotel and spoke at the 128th Air Refueling Wing. The White House said the remarks were to discuss the Trump administration's "work to combat fraud."
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"We're here to talk about fraud. We're here to talk about protecting your taxpayer money," Vance said. "Most importantly, we're here to talk about protecting the programs that exist that are funded by the generosity of the people in this room, and that ought go to the people they're meant for and not to make fraudsters rich. It's a very, very simple principle."
Full: Vance in Milwaukee
Vice President JD Vance was in Milwaukee on July 8, 2026: He discussed "work to combat fraud," the Iran War and other topics.
Vance discussed the administration's efforts to combat fraud with public assistance programs and mentioned states like Minnesota, where multiple people have been federally convicted. He asked Wisconsin to let federal investigations look into things and make sure people who need assistance are getting it.
"You have an open offer to come into the White House and talk about how we can combat fraud together," he said, directing comments to top Wisconsin Democrats, including the governor. "I will work with you, I will make it easier, I will give you federal resources, I will do whatever I need to do. But it's got to be a two-way street."
The vice president also touched on other topics, including the Iran War and election integrity, during a question-and-answer session with reporters.
Criticism from Democrats
The other side:
Wisconsin Democrats held an online forum ahead of Vance's visit. State Rep. Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee) highlights cuts from the federal government.
"While Wisconsin Republicans like congressmen Tom Tiffany and Bryan Steil celebrate JD Vance's arrival today in advance of his big fundraiser, everyday Wisconsinites have been focused on how much more expensive everyday living is today than it was just two years ago," she said. "These price hikes are largely thanks to Trump and Vance's MAGA agenda."
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"Cuts to Medicaid, cuts that threaten rural hospitals, those cuts that have strained services for veterans, policies that drive costs for working families, again and again, Tom Tiffany and Bryan Steil have voted ‘yes,'" said State Rep. Kalan Haywood. "They don't ask whether these policies are good for Wisconsin, they ask whether they're good for Donald Trump. And that's exactly why JD Vance is coming to Milwaukee – coming to Wisconsin – today."
All acts are for Wisconsin, but their acts are good for Donald Trump, and that's exactly why J-D Vance is coming to Milwaukee, coming to Wisconsin today, not because those policies have succeeded, but because Tom Tiffany and Bryan Steil have been willing to support them without question."
A group of people gathered at Pennsylvania and Grange, just east of the refueling wing, to protest rising healthcare costs and reduced access to care – saying the cuts hurt working families, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities to help finance tax breaks for billionaires.
Editor's note: This story was updated following Vance's visit.
The Source: Information in this story is from the White House, Mayor Cavalier Johnson's office and prior coverage of Vance and Trump's recent visits to Wisconsin.