Welcome to Day 2 of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Tuesday is shaping up to be another busy day after the RNC’s first day included former President Donald Trump officially winning the nomination and choosing Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate.
Trump appeared at the convention’s night session with his ear bandaged after the assassination attempt against him Saturday, but he didn’t speak to the Fiserv Forum crowd.
The Journal Sentinel is providing live coverage so you can follow along here for updates throughout the day. Be sure to refresh your browser often for the latest info.
Journal Sentinel’s Kristen Brey and JR Radcliffe talks about what happened, what’s ahead at RNC
Vance photographed in downtown Milwaukee Tuesday morning
Vance was photographed walking through downtown Milwaukee near Water Street and Wisconsin Avenue on Tuesday morning with his family.
(11:20 a.m.)
— Alex Groth
Pro-Biden infrastructure signs dot RNC perimeter
It’s an almost subtle sign against the more flashy red, white and blue in downtown Milwaukee, but it certainly stands out: “Project Funded by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
The sign was sponsored by the City of Milwaukee, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Investing in America, the latter of which is a White House agenda that aims to mobilize “historic levels of private sector investments in the United States,” according to the White House.
As of March, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has put $6.6 billion funds in Wisconsin, with more than 510 specific projects identified for funding, according to a White House press release.
Milwaukee received about $85 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation and $2.5 million from the Environmental Protection Agency. A portion of that funding has gone into the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport Project, which aims to replace obsolete flat roof areas on airport buildings, making the buildings more resilient to weather and energy efficient.
The lion’s share of the Department of Transportation’s funding, at $80 million, will go to replacing the existing Interstate 39, 90 and 94 Wisconsin River bridge with two new bridge spans to improve the flow of traffic. Although this funding was awarded to Columbia County, north of Dane County, the route links Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago, serving as a key connector for these cities.
The Biden administration put another $36 million toward Milwaukee’s 6th Street Complete Streets Project, which will reconnect communities along the more than 2½ miles of the 6th Street corridor.
According to a White House fact sheet from March, the project provides wider sidewalks for children walking to school, safe bike lanes for residents and visitors, dedicated bus lines for faster transit, new trees and green infrastructure to prevent sewage run-off into the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan.
(10:40 a.m.)
— Natalie Eilbert
Ex-Gov Tommy Thompson praises image of Trump after assassination attempt
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson likened a photo of former President Donald Trump raising his fist after an assassination attempt Saturday to the iconic 1945 photo of Marines hoisting an American flag on top of Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi, and said that image alone will win Trump the election.
“Nothing is going to derail the campaign,” Thompson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the floor of the RNC on Monday.
Read more
(10:20 a.m.)
— Jessie Opoien
8 new ‘Dark Brandon’ billboards emerge around Milwaukee area
The Democratic National Committee is ramping up its campaign, this time with “Dark Brandon” billboards, a riff on the popular MAGA phrase “Let’s Go Brandon!”
The satirical persona, which depicts a grinning President Joe Biden with red beams shooting from his eyes — think Cyclops from X-Men — can be seen at eight locations across Milwaukee:
- North side of McKinley Blvd., 100 feet east of 7th Street, facing east
- East side of Interstate 43, 215 feet south of North Avenue, facing north
- East side of I-94, 800 feet south of I-794, facing south
- South side of I-794, 250 feet east of 6th Street, facing west
- West side of I-794, 50 feet south of Potter Avenue, facing north
- East side of I-43, 270 feet north of Juneau Avenue, facing north
- East side of I-94, 0.3 miles north of National Avenue, facing north
- South side of I-94, 200 feet east of 20th Street, facing west
The billboards come out simultaneously to the DNC’s first anti-Trump-Vance billboards since the former president announced his running mate Monday.
The Dark Brandon billboards play on some of the same hot-button issues as the Trump-Vance billboards: abortion, Social Security cuts, democracy and health care.
Abhi Rahman, DNC deputy communications director, said in a press release Tuesday morning that Trump, Vance and MAGA Republicans “kicked off their Project 2025 convention by highlighting unpopular and extreme policies that would rip fundamental rights away from women and leave working families behind.”
Trump has made a point of disavowing Project 2025, a presidential transition project with conservative policy proposals written by the DC-based think-tank Heritage Foundation. Trump has repeatedly said he knows nothing about the plan.
“The DNC is highlighting Joe Biden’s winning platform and policies that are delivering for the American people,” Rahman said in the Tuesday press release. “We’re making sure voters know it by bringing Dark Brandon to Milwaukee to outline a bold second term agenda that sharply contrasts with what Wisconsinites are seeing on the RNC stage this week — restoring Roe, lowering costs, protecting Social Security, and safeguarding our democracy.”
(9:45 a.m.)
— Natalie Eilbert
Teamsters president makes history at Monday night’s session
Sean O’Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, on Monday night said it was an “honor” to be the first president in the union’s history to address a Republican National Convention.
“Today, the Teamsters are here to say we are not beholden to anyone or any party,” O’Brien said. “I don’t care about getting criticized. It’s an honor to be the first Teamster in our 121-year history to address the Republican National Convention.”
O’Brien said he reached out to both the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention to speak. He thanked Trump for inviting him to speak at the convention. While he didn’t offer an endorsement, O’Brien underscored that the union has supported GOP presidential candidates in the past, including Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.
Read more
(9:30 a.m.)
— Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY
Late night shows quip about Milwaukee, RNC
Late night television took a few swipes at Milwaukee and more than a few at the RNC speakers Monday night.
Wisconsin and Milwaukee got the most airtime on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which dedicated a live monologue to the opening day of the RNC. Right away, Milwaukee and its nicknames got Colbert’s first jabs, after he kindly described it as a “beautiful” place.
“Also known as Brew City, Beer City and ‘All of the other Cities are Worried about you’ City,” he said.
Colbert seemed to have genuine respect for some of the other names around the city, too, especially one in the RNC’s soft security zone.
“If you’re in Milwaukee, and you can’t get into the convention, there is an official convention watch party at a local pub called — and this is true — Drink Wisconsibly,” he said. “Lovely, bravo. Truly one of the best state- and warning-label-themed bars in the country.”
Colbert also made fun of the state law that doesn’t allow for guns to be banned in the RNC’s soft zone, but things like tennis balls are banned. He also poked at U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson’s remarks on Wisconsin’s very kind people as a reason to not be concerned about safety.
“Yes, Wisconsin only produces the nicest people like Tony Shalhoub, Chris Farley and Jeffrey Dahmer,” he said.
The last Wisconsin person to get teased was none other than Rev. James A. Roemke of Messiah Lutheran Church in Kenosha. Roemke gave his best impression of Trump, saying that everyone was “going to be so blessed” and waved his hands in a Trump-esque way.
“Oh my lord. It is a miracle,” Colbert said. “Someone has a worse Trump impression than me.”
Read more
(9:15 a.m.)
— David Clarey
Democratic National Committee moves overnight to hit Trump-Vance ticket
The Democratic National Committee wasted no time responding to Trump selecting Vance as his running mate.
Sixteen billboards and a mobile billboard in the Milwaukee area sprouted overnight, in time for the RNC’s second day. It’s the first paid media campaign that takes shots at the Trump-Vance ticket.
The billboards strike a grim tone, veering on doomsday for democracy. The DNC took aim at the Trump-Vance stance on abortion, tax breaks for the wealthy and the Affordable Care Act.
Each billboard also references Project 2025, a proposed presidential transition project by the Heritage Foundation, a DC-based think tank. One billboard echoed the fear that Trump would use the election to transform the United States into a dictatorship: “Dictator on ‘Day One,'” alluding to the nearly 900-page document.
Trump has attempted to distance himself from Project 2025.
Vance has taken a hardline stance on abortion, which he opposes even in cases of incest and rape. It’s one of the key issues likely to dominate the campaign trail. When he ran for the Senate in 2022, his campaign website said simply “Ban Abortion” on the issues page. The DNC’s billboard played up his two-word stance, with “Ban Abortion, Punish Women.”
Despite his rags-to-riches story that his bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegies,” encapsulates, the DNC billboard said a Trump-Vance ticket means “Tax breaks for billionaires, higher costs for you,” according to another billboard.
The other billboard says that a Trump-Vance ticket will destroy the Affordable Care Act and Social Security: “Terminate the ACA, Gut Social Security.”
(9 a.m.)
— Natalie Eilbert
Milwaukee mayor seeks to reassure businesses seeing less-than-normal traffic during RNC
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson on Tuesday sought to reassure local businesses that saw less traffic than normal on the first day of the Republican National Convention.
Restaurants in the Third Ward reported normal or lower-than-normal diner levels Monday.
Johnson said he heard announcements within Fiserv Forum that Trump would be making an appearance in the convention hall. Then, Johnson said, Trump’s appearance was repeatedly delayed, which he thought prompted people not to leave the area to avoid missing Trump’s first public appearance since an assassination attempt on Saturday in Pennsylvania.
Instead of leaving the credentials-only “hard” perimeter, he thought convention attendees went to Convention Fest, a vendor fair at the RNC showcasing local Milwaukee businesses for RNC attendees.
Johnson expected business outside the hard perimeter to pick up Tuesday.
“From what I understand, that was probably more of an anomaly just because folks had to wait. They chose to wait,” Johnson said.
His comments were also political. Johnson, a Democrat and a vocal supporter of Biden’s re-election campaign, urged people to vote in November’s presidential election.
He was also critical of Trump and his choice of Vance to be his vice presidential running mate.
“There are a lot of questions and certainly a lot of concern,” Johnson said. “We now have a Republican candidate on the vice presidential side without any executive experience and a Republican presidential candidate whose executive experience we’ve already endured over the course of a term.”
Johnson called Trump’s response to the COVID-19 “botched” and credited Biden’s policies for helping turn around city crime during the pandemic.
Johnson pointed to the pairing of local policies and the American Rescue Plan Act as helping Milwaukee abate crime that had spiked during the pandemic. Recent crime data shows that, halfway through 2024, crime is above 2019 levels but made improvements from prior years.
“Working with President Biden’s administration and our policies around accountability and prevention, for the last two years, all under President Biden’s leadership we’ve seen crime trend down year over year in Milwaukee,” Johnson said. “I don’t think there’s really much to touch in terms of public safety when you compare the policies.”
(8:15 a.m.)
— Alison Dirr and David Clarey
Mayor says three arrested Monday, protest goes smoothly
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said three people were arrested near the Republican National Convention on Monday but lauded it as a “peaceful” start to the week.
Of the three arrests, one involved a repeat offender. That person attempted — for the second time — to climb a fence into a restricted area, Johnson said. A second arrest occurred when someone blocked traffic in the evening and didn’t follow police orders to move.
Johnson said the third arrest occurred at the end of the Coalition to March on the RNC demonstration. The person was arrested for disorderly conduct, the mayor said.
The Journal Sentinel previously reported that online video showed a man wearing a Chicago Bears shirt was seen in handcuffs following the parade. Authorities said the man took signs from protesters and attempted to knock over a booth, causing a disturbance to protesters who just finished a march that ended at Red Arrow Park, at 920 N. Water St., around 3:20 p.m.
Overall, Johnson said the march and day went peacefully, without major incident. No one was hurt and there wasn’t significant property damage involved with the march.
“By most important measures, things are going pretty well,” he said. “Overall, it was a calm day, it was a peaceful day.”
(8 a.m.)
— David Clarey
Artist, Trump fan will display 24K gold-plated MAGA hat at RNC
Though plenty of MAGA hats are sure to be spotted at the convention, one is set to stand out.
A 24K gold-plated bronze replica of the MAGA hat will be on display today through Thursday at the convention. Artist XVALA — a contemporary artist known for using controversial celebrity images and artifacts of the internet age in his work — will be showcasing the gold hat.
In a press release, XVALA said the hat aims to represent the legacy of Make America Great Again.
“Trump will usher in a new golden age for America. MAGA is the gold ticket to success for America,” the release said.
The hat is a 3D-printed replica of a real MAGA hat, signed by Trump. On his website, XVALA wrote that the hat is intended as a response to Maurizio Cattelan’s “America,” a fully functioning toilet made from 18-karat solid gold.
“XVALA’s MAGA hat, while impractical for everyday use, remains technically functional as it is a 1:1 replica of the original,” the website read. “But unlike Cattelan, the hat exhorts us to make America great, not to disparage it as a waste receptacle.”
After the convention, the hat will be auctioned off at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Friday. The hat is listed for $15,000 on XVALA’s website.
(7:45 a.m.)
— Kathryn Muchnick
New York artist, activist makes a virtual point
New York-based artist and political activist Norm Magnusson has created augmented reality art that shows historical markers on the plaza of Fiserv Forum with pointed statements.
The works aren’t visible — they can only be seen through the Scavengar – easy AR mobile app.
The blue and gold markers include political messages about Project 2025 class inequality, former presidents’ roles and more.
One of the piece’s messages reads: “On this site stood every single U.S. President since 1980. Each oversaw the continued redistribution of wealth from lower and middle classes to the richest 1%.”
The plaques are similar to others Magnusson made in the early 2000s and fit in the vein of his other work. On his artist website, he breaks down work critical of former President George W. Bush and his administration and other political topics.
Magnusson’s work has appeared in The Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of the City of New York and others. He’s known for his funism artwork, a style described as fun to look at and think about, while being intellectually engaging without being elitist.
He’s from Illinois, according to a story on his work from The Villager, a New York publication.
(7:30 a.m.)
— David Clarey
RNC weather: Temperatures, humidity will start to fall after overnight showers
After overnight rains, Monday’s hot temperatures should cool off.
Milwaukee is expected to see a high of 82, according to the National Weather Service. Though the humidity shouldn’t be as extreme as yesterday, it might still feel “a touch muggy” as a cold front continues to move through the area, meteorologist Andrew Quigley said.
Overnight, Milwaukee received .17 inches of rain, with a thunder shower over downtown between 4:30 and 5 a.m.
Southern Wisconsin had more severe weather overnight, with reports of damaging winds and large hail along the state line with Illinois. The NWS has received reports of tree damage affiliated with straight-line winds.
No additional severe weather is forecasted for Tuesday, though Quigley said there’s potential for an isolated shower in the afternoon.
Drier and less humid air is expected for the rest of the RNC, with temperatures in the mid-70s from Wednesday to Friday.
“Improvement is on the way,” Quigley said.
(7:15 a.m.)
— Kathryn Muchnick
What time is the RNC? Here’s the Republican National Convention schedule, events for Tuesday
The official session of the convention starts at 5 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m.
Other events begin as early as 8 a.m., such as state delegation breakfasts. Other events include discussion panels, screenings of “Reagan,” the 2024 Dennis Quaid-led biopic of the former president, and the BBQ Bikes & Blues Western States event at the Harley Davidson Museum.
Many events require tickets or registration and more information can be found here.
The convention isn’t open to the general public, but according to an RNC spokesperson, you can stream it on YouTube, X, Facebook Live, Rumble, Amazon Prime, Twitch and Direct TV. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel will also be streaming RNC events, as will the City Channel.
The official convention watch party takes place each day at the Drink Wisconsinbly Pub, 320 W. Highland Ave., across from Fiserv Forum.
(7 a.m.)
— Kelly Meyerhofer
RNC band had the Fiserv Forum crowd rocking Monday
OK, let’s talk about the band, because everyone else seemed to be Monday.
The Nashville band Sixwire was in the spotlight during the RNC’s first day at Fiserv Forum. And when the teleprompter experienced a malfunction, it got to show off more of its set.
But that was OK for many, since people were loving the country music band, which played songs from the Foo Fighters, Cheap Trick, the Doobie Brothers and more.
Read more
(6:45 a.m.)
— Christopher Kuhagen
What road closures and parking restrictions will be in place during the RNC?
Numerous downtown Milwaukee streets will be closed in downtown Milwaukee in and around the security perimeter until Friday at about 1 a.m.:
- West Wisconsin Avenue closed between Old World 3rd / Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and James Lovell Street
- West Wells Street closed between Old World 3rd / Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and James Lovell Street
- West Kilbourn Avenue closed between Old World 3rd / Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and North 8th Street
- Kilbourn Avenue exit tunnel closed from Interstate 43
- Kilbourn Avenue entrance tunnel closed to I-43
- West State Street closed between North 8th Street and Old World 3rd / Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
- West Juneau Avenue closed between North 8th Street and Old World 3rd / Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (Moderne Condo garage will be accessible to residents)
- Northbound I-43 offramp closed at eastbound and westbound Fond du Lac Avenue
- West Fond du Lac Avenue, West McKinley Avenue and East Knapp Street closed between I-43 and North Water Street
- Old World 3rd / Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, no northbound traffic past West Juneau Avenue (the Aloft Hotel will be accessible to guests)
- Old World 3rd / Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, no southbound traffic past West McKinley Avenue
- North Vel R. Phillips Avenue closed between West Michigan Street and West McKinley Avenue (the parking garage entrance on North Vel R. Phillips Avenue immediately south of West Michigan Street will be accessible to vehicles)
- North 6th Street closed between West Michigan Street and West McKinley Avenue (the 5th Street Parking Garage will be accessible to residents of the 550 Ultra Lofts Building and guests of the Trade Hotel via 6th Street)
- North James Lovell Street closed between West Wells Street and West Juneau Avenue
- Southbound I-43 ramp closed from Fond du Lac Avenue
- Eastbound I-794 ramp closed from North James Lovell Street
Also, the westbound I-794 ramp to the northbound I-43 ramp will have intermittent closures as needed for bus traffic.
Widespread street parking restrictions will also be in effect until Sunday.
(6:30 a.m.)
— Claire Reid
When does the RNC end?
The convention runs through Thursday, July 18.
(6:15 a.m.)
How to watch the RNC convention
The convention venues are closed to all but delegates, politicians, media members and volunteers. However, there are plenty of ways to watch the RNC. Numerous platforms will stream the convention, including the Journal Sentinel. Fox News Media will also have coverage across all of its platforms.
— Hope Karnopp
(6 a.m.)
What’s the RNC 2024 convention schedule?
Here’s the master schedule of events for the Republican National Convention.
The convention is closed to all but delegates, politicians, media members and volunteers.
Throughout the week, guests are invited to attend official sessions at the convention venues; affinity group receptions; lectures and presentations; and film screenings.
Many events require tickets or registration; be sure to consult the master calendar for information on how to register.
The official convention watch party takes place each day at the Drink Wisconsinbly Pub, 320 W. Highland Ave., across from Fiserv Forum.
(5:45 a.m.)
— Claire Reid
What’s the RNC convention location?
Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks, is the main venue for the RNC. That’s also where the first Republican debate was held in August. Thousands of delegates will gather there to hear the big speeches.
The nearby University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Baird Center will also be used as spaces for the event.
Here’s more about each venue:
(5:30 a.m.)
— Hope Karnopp
Can I get tickets to the Republican National Convention?
Unless you’re a delegate, politician, media member or volunteer, you won’t be able to attend the RNC. Those attendees already have credentials to get inside the convention venues.
In other words, you can’t buy a ticket to get into the convention if you’re a member of the public.
But there are other RNC-related events that are open to the public. And, there are plenty of ways to watch the RNC. Numerous platforms will stream the convention, including the Journal Sentinel. Fox News Media will also have coverage across all of its platforms.
(5:15 a.m.)
— Hope Karnopp
When is the Democratic National Convention, or DNC, in 2024?
The Democratic National Convention will be held in Chicago — less than 100 miles south of the RNC — from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22.
(5 a.m.)
— Hope Karnopp
