Prior to the Republican National Convention, the party’s Potential presidential candidate Donald Trump Controversy has arisen after he reportedly called the host city of Milwaukee “terrible” during a meeting with Republican lawmakers.

“Milwaukee, where we’re having our convention, is a horrible city,” Trump said during a closed-door meeting with House Republicans on Thursday, the New York Post reported, citing a digital media outlet.

The controversy comes just a month before the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to take place in Milwaukee from July 15 to 18.

Following the report, Republicans worked hard to clarify and defend Trump’s comments. Representative Bryan Steil, a Republican congressman from Wisconsin, was among several GOP officials who opposed the report.

“I was in the room. President Trump did not say that. There is no better place to be in July than Wisconsin,” Steele tweeted.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who represents Wisconsin in the House and Senate, clarified that the former president was discussing Milwaukee’s crime statistics.

“I was at the meeting. President Trump never disrespected Milwaukee (sic),” Rep. Jim Banks (R-Indiana) also posted on X. “Just another Democrat hoax.”

The Democratic Party, on the other hand, was having none of it. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, a Democrat, immediately hit back at Trump.

“If Donald Trump wants to talk about things that he finds horrible, we’ve all seen his presidency. So, that applies to you, too, friend,” Johnson said, as quoted by The Hill.

Defending his city, Johnson said, “It’s weird that he would disrespect Wisconsin’s largest city because he’s running for president — he obviously wants to win Wisconsin, win the election. So, to disrespect the state that’s hosting your convention, I think, is really weird. It’s kind of crazy.”

The Democratic National Committee also used the opportunity to take aim at Trump and point out how the former president lost to Joe Biden in Wisconsin in the 2020 election.

“The dislike is mutual — in 2020, Milwaukee County voted for President Biden by nearly 40 points, helping turn the state blue and send Joe Biden to the White House,” the DNC said in a statement to CBS 58 News.

Trump’s unflattering comments about Milwaukee could alienate residents of Wisconsin’s largest city, which is a key battleground state and will play a key role in the upcoming election.