The Republican National Convention kicked off in Milwaukee with former President Donald J. Trump making an appearance on the opening night. Around 50,000 people gathered in the city where Trump was formally nominated to the Republican ticket. Delegates, donors, and party leaders came together for their party’s nominating convention just two days after an assassination attempt on Trump.
On the first day of the convention, delegates prepared to cast their ballots to certify Trump as the Republican presidential nominee. The convention hall was filled with guests decked out in red, white, and blue, while event staff distributed Trump signs. Police officers from around the country were present to secure the convention site, and demonstrators took to the streets to protest Trump’s appearance.
During the formal proceedings, Michael Whatley, the chair of the Republican National Committee, oversaw the adoption of the party’s new platform. Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, conducted the roll-call vote formally nominating Trump. Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio was nominated as Trump’s running mate, and delegates cheered as speakers took to the stage.
Trump, wearing a bandage over his right ear from the recent shooting incident, arrived in Milwaukee the day before the convention. A pro-Trump boat parade took place on Lake Michigan, and flags representing each delegation were displayed outside the Fiserv Forum. Local high school students helped inflate balloons for the final day of the convention, and a Trump campaign ad was seen in Milwaukee leading up to the event.
