Former President Donald Trump told supporters at a Minnesota GOP dinner on Friday night that he is going to win the state and expand “the electoral map.”
No Republican candidate has won Minnesota since 1972. Trump lost the state in 2016 by just 1.5% and 7.1% in 2020 but claimed at the dinner that he won the state in both years.
His return to the state comes after he declared he would never return if he lost it in 2020.
“I’m here tonight to declare that we’re officially expanding the … electoral map,” Trump said.
“Two polls came out: One had me 1 point behind [President Joe Biden], one had me 2 points up, and another is coming out tomorrow, and the word is that I’m 2 points up.”
Trump emphatically said the people of Minnesota will tell Biden that “he’s fired” in November.
The former president trails Biden by 2 points in a recent SurveyUSA poll of 625 likely voters, and the Cook Political Report rated the state “likely Democrat.”
Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) spoke before Trump and is considered to be a potential vice presidential choice.
Trump briefly mentioned his vice presidential search, pointing to Burgum, who preceded him in speaking, and saying, “A lot of people think it’s that guy,” but did not mention any other names. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), among others, is considered a favorite for the position.
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Trump is scheduled to speak at a National Rifle Association Leadership Forum in Dallas on Saturday, where he mentioned he may receive the group’s endorsement. Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) is also scheduled to speak there.
The former president leads Biden by 1 point in a national polling average as of May 17.
