A day after Donald Trump’s victory was confirmed in Wisconsin’s presidential recount, the president-elect brought his “thank you” tour to the state, touting the results and celebrating with some leading Wisconsin Republicans.
At rally Tuesday night in West Allis, Trump highlighted his increased vote margin over Democrat Hillary Clinton while also calling the effort a waste of millions of dollars and countless hours.
“You know, I called it a scam, but I won’t say that because we want to be nice,” Trump said of the recount, which was requested and paid for by Green Party candidate Jill Stein. “OK. So, I refuse to say it was a scam tonight, all right? This way they can’t report that I said it.”
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Trump was joined by top Wisconsin Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan in their first joint appearance.
Some in the crowd booed at the mention of Ryan’s name but Trump appeared in the mood to bury the hatchet with the speaker after a sometimes-strained relationship during the campaign.
“Aw, no, I’ve come to appreciate him,” Trump said over boos. “He has been terrific, and you know honestly, he has been like a fine wine. Every day that goes by, I’ve learned to appreciate his genius more and more.”
But with a slight shift in tone, Trump added, “Now, if he ever goes against me, I’m not going to say that, OK?”
In the runup to the election, Ryan criticized Trump for making lewd comments about women a decade ago, and refused to campaign with the GOP presidential nominee.
Ryan and Trump have since spent time together in Washington D.C., but Tuesday night was their first time together in Wisconsin.
Trump said he and Ryan will work together on taxes, health care, and hopefully, Trump said, a wall at the United States-Mexico border.
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