Trump arrives in Milwaukee for the Republican convention
Former US President Donald Trump arrived in Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention, just a day after surviving an assassination attempt.
The convention in Milwaukee is proceeding as scheduled despite the shooting incident on Saturday evening at a rally in Pennsylvania, where Trump was shot in the ear.
Trump shared on social media that he had contemplated delaying his trip by two days, but ultimately decided, “I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to schedule, or anything else.”
The attack has heightened concerns over the safety and security of the event, which starts on Monday at the arena home to the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
However, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the RNC coordinator for the US Secret Service, announced during a Sunday afternoon news conference in Milwaukee that there would be no changes to the security plan.
Approximately 50,000 attendees are expected at the four-day event, which will feature pageantry, politics, and policy discussions as the party makes its case to voters ahead of November’s general election.
Every four years, each of the two main US parties hosts a convention to formally select their presidential nominee and prepare for the final campaign stretch. The conventions include high-profile speakers and a primetime speech from the presidential candidate.
During the convention, delegates from each state pledge their support to their chosen candidate and approve the party platform.
For Trump, the convention is a formality as he is the presumptive nominee, having secured 2,265 delegates in the primaries, enough for the nomination.
The Democrats will hold their convention next month in Chicago.
Trump is not expected to speak until Thursday night.
One of the most anticipated moments of the conference will be when he announces his vice-presidential candidate. However, given the recent assassination attempt, it is unclear when Trump will reveal his choice for running mate or when that individual will speak.
Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s son, is expected to speak on Wednesday.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, one of Trump’s fiercest rivals during the Republican primary, was initially expected to skip the RNC.
But after the assassination attempt, it was reported that she would now not only attend but speak at the conference.
Other speakers reportedly include Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia congresswoman, Arizona Senate contender Kari Lake, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Dana White, head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, and Teamsters union general president Sean O’Brien.
RNC co-chair Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of the former president, said celebrities will also be among the speakers.
Amber Rose, model, reality star, and former girlfriend of Kanye West, is expected to address the crowd.
But former stalwarts of the Republican party establishment, such as George W Bush, Mike Pence, and Mitt Romney, are not on the guest list.
former First Lady Melania Trump, who rarely makes public appearances, will attend the convention, according to US media.
Mrs Trump did not attend the 27 June debate between President Joe Biden and Trump. Neither did she attend her husband’s hush-money trial earlier this year.
While the former first lady has held Republican fundraisers in the past year, this would be her first major appearance of this election cycle.
Monday’s theme will be “Make America Wealthy Once Again”, Tuesday will be “Make America Safe Again”, Wednesday is “Make America Strong Again” and Thursday is “Make America Great Once Again”.
The party platform this year sits at 16 pages.
Some themes of Project 2025, a much longer think-tank proposal, are also likely to come up during the convention.
Project 2025 – from which Trump has distanced himself – calls for expanding presidential powers, eliminating thousands of civil servant posts, tax cuts, and dismantling the Department of Education.
A demonstration, the Coalition to March on the RNC, is scheduled for noon local time on Monday.
Organizers say they expect 5,000 protesters, with backing from 125 liberal activist groups around the country.
Omar Flores, the co-chair of the coalition, said on Friday: “Join us to fight against the Republicans’ racist and reactionary agenda, to stand with Palestine; to defend women’s, LGBTQ and reproductive rights; to defend and expand immigrant rights and to advocate for peace, justice, and equity.”
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the city would ensure public safety is tantamount this week.
“A national special security event is the highest designation that you can get for a security event of its size and magnitude in the United States,” Mayor Johnson said.
