RNC review: Trump leaves convention’s first day without speaking

Monday's first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee was action-packed, including an announcement about Donald Trump's vice president pick of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and the former president's official nomination at the GOP's presidential candidate.

The Journal Sentinel provided live coverage of Monday's events. Here's a full review:

More: Live updates: Republican National Convention 2024 second day in Milwaukee; news, schedule, events

Brewer's Hill warehouse party draws police presence

A large police presence was keeping watch on Reservoir Street and Buffum Avenue as ticketed guests milled into an exclusive party at a warehouse in Brewer’s Hill around 11 p.m. Residents have previously expressed frustration with the lack of communication about the late-night event.

Two police officers confirmed that someone had been throwing projectiles at police cars from the roof of a neighboring building that abuts the back of the warehouse. There was traffic on the usually residential street as people were being dropped off at the event.

— Vanessa Swales

Twin DJs embraced by the right seek to add more fun to politics

RWB Milwaukee, a bar on Old World Third Street, is usually closed Mondays.

But a Dallas-based set of twin brothers partnered with the bar to put on a ticketed event, the Red, White and Blue Jamboree, for RNC attendees. Paul and James McElwain are a DJ duo unofficially embraced by the right and seeking to infuse more fun to politics.

The two have been involved in DJ event production for around a decade under the name “Milk N Cooks.” Paul said they entered the politics afterparty production scene after noticing a “gaping hole” in fun parties and entertainment surrounding the often intense and contentious political realm.

Servers wore tank tops with “No tax on tips” printed across their chests, a Republican Party talking point earlier in the day. About 100 people crowded around the bar around 10 p.m.

Paul said he hopes the event brings people together.

"We lean a certain way, but we're not explicit about that and it's just, hey, we're trying to put on a good event for people to want to hang out, have good time and socialize,” Paul said.

— Claudia Levens and Kelly Meyerhofer

Michigan Rep. John James trolls Packers fans

At the beginning of his remarks at Monday night's session, Michigan Rep. John James said, “Good evening, Wisconsin. Warmest regards, warmest regards from Detroit – home of the NFC North Champion Detroit Lions!”

— USA TODAY

Third Ward restaurants report normal or lower-than-normal diner levels

Some businesses in the Third Ward neighborhood said they were hoping for a convention boost in business but it had yet to materialize. Employees at several restaurants said a variety of factors beyond the RNC — the early weekday, humidity and rain — could have played a role in reducing foot traffic.

At Cafe Benelux, an employee said the number of diners was “significantly” lower than a normal Monday night.

At the Milwaukee Public Market, stools at the Tiki Bar were mostly filled. An employee said traffic was about what he’d expect.

City Social employee Jeloni Woulard also said business was normal for a Monday. She said she was expecting increased business but stressed it was only the first day.

Dominic Reed, manager of the Wicked Hop, said business was “a lot” slower than normal.

“We’ve just got to wait and see,” he said

— Kelly Meyerhofer and Claudia Levens

Trump leaves convention’s first day without speaking

After making his first public appearance since his assassination attempt, Trump left Fiserv Forum without speaking on the first day of the convention.

Additional streets were closed downtown between Fiserv Forum and the Pfister as Trump’s motorcade was expected.

Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley declared the convention in recess until Tuesday afternoon.

— Tristan Hernandez

Kenosha priest at RNC impersonates Trump before prayer

This Wisconsin pastor gave one heck of a Donald Trump impression at the RNC in Milwaukee Monday. Here's the full story

— Hannah Kirby

Trump shows up at the Republican convention

The former president made his first public appearance since Saturday's shooting — cameras in the convention hall filmed him walking into a luxury box with a bandage on his right ear.

Trump waved as the crowd roared and the cover band played a version of "So Caught Up in You." The crowd at Fiserv Forum erupted into loud chants of "USA!" "Fight!" and "We want Trump!

— David Jackson, USA TODAY

Area surrounding hard perimeter quiet as storms move in

With storms moving in and night-time conventions speeches underway, the area surrounding the hard perimeter was quiet around 8:30 p.m. Monday.

LP on N. King Dr. had four patrons inside, and down the street at Who’s On Third, the Old German Beer Hall and Brat House each had about a dozen people eating and drinking.

At Milwaukee's famous German restaurant, Mader's, the large outdoor beer garden was empty, and a third of the tables inside occupied.

Pere Marquette Park, a fenced-off area which is an extension of the Republican National Convention, had a handful of people sitting on benches as the sun set and the storm began to roll over Milwaukee.

— Jordyn Noennig and Vanessa Swales

Former president Trump is en route to the Republican National Convention, CNN, ABC are reporting

Donald Trump is expected to make an appearance, but is not expected to speak, according to ABC News.

“A large motorcade recently left the hotel where Trump is staying and appears to be heading in the direction of the venue,” ABC News said.

— Hannah Kirby

Drink Wisconsinbly gets business as official watch party

Drink Wisconsinbly in the Deer District was getting good business, thanks to its location near Fiserv Forum and the home of the watch party, according to Nick Olgray, manager at Drink Wisconsinbly.

“This is busier than what we were expecting,” he said.

He suspected that the shooting of Trump Saturday “brought out a lot of people.”

Olgray said that, when the convention took a break in the afternoon, the space was full, with a line out the door.

Around 7:30, there was a lull, with about 30 people in the bar and a Fox News setup for a live broadcast. Olgray said the bar benefited from hosting both private parties and then opening to the public for watch parties.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” he said.

Marc Wontorek of New York was at Drink Wisconsinbly watching Sen. Tim Scott give a convention speech. Wontorek was there as a guest of a New York delegate. He had been inside at the convention but took a break at the pub.

“The beer here is better,” he said while drinking On Wisconsin beer from Badger State Brewing.

—Jordyn Noennig

Sen. Ron Johnson says teleprompter loaded wrong speech

After the speech, an aide to Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the speech Johnson read was not the final version he intended to deliver.

His final speech began with Johnson saying "we should all heed President Trump's call for unity, strength and determination," the aide said. And he read a line that he did not want in the final version: "Today's Democrat agenda, their policies, are a clear and present danger to America, to our institutions, our values and our people."

Asked who was responsible for the error, Johnson's staff replied: "Not us."

Read full story

— Lawrence Andrea

Sen. Ron Johnson attacks Democrats' 'fringe' agenda in opening night RNC speech

Johnson opened a convention billed as one of unity Monday night in Milwaukee by leveling criticism squarely at Democrats.

The Democratic Party, Johnson said as he welcomed Republican delegates to Wisconsin, are the party of “open borders, reckless spending, weaponized government and weakness on the world stage.”

He called Democrats’ agenda “fringe” and attacked them for discussing gender-related issues. “Vice President Harris and President Biden,” Johnson said, “have made our lives less safe and more expensive.”

Read full story

— Lawrence Andrea

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden praises Vance as 'exquisite' pick

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin told the Journal Sentinel that Vance was an "exquisite" running-mate pick for Trump's campaign.

Van Orden spoke of his shared experiences with Vance as a person who grew up in rural poverty to a single mother, joined the military, and pursued a position in Congress.

He believes Vance will attract voters in the 3rd Congressional District because they share a similar experience. Van Orden said Vance's upbringing and commitment to serving voters who live in rural areas or below the poverty line will offer a balance to the Republican ticket, contrasting Trump's billionaire status.

"If you look at that, that's an expression of the American dream," he said. "People are going to gravitate towards that."

— Tamia Fowlkes

Local government leaders decry Trump assassination attempt

Local government leaders from across the U.S. gathered at Milwaukee City Hall to highlight the importance of the level of government closest to the people.

“America’s mayors are driving solutions at the local level,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who was joined by Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Rancho Cordova, California, Mayor David Sander and New York City Council member Joseph Borelli.

The group said whether Trump or President Joe Biden wins a second White House term, local governments will need a strong partnership with the federal government to address challenges in communities.

Johnson pointed to the federal pandemic aid that reached local governments through the American Rescue Plan Act, saying it helped prevent Milwaukee from becoming insolvent and gave Wisconsin’s largest city the time it needed to reach a funding agreement with the state.

The group also condemned the assassination attempt against Trump.

Sander, who is also president of the National League of Cities, called the attempted assassination an “attempt to murder democracy.”

“That violence is a reminder of the responsibilities we all have as leaders to create stronger communities and to act swiftly to disavow hate and violence wherever we find it,” he said. “It was a reminder quite frankly of what our fellow mayors and council members and aldermen have known for way too long: that hate and violence toward elected officials in our country has been rising and it must end.”

Leaders, he said, must “model better ideals for our democracy.”

— Alison Dirr

Fire and medical personnel field heat exhaustion calls

A man experiencing what a police officer said was heat exhaustion got help from Milwaukee police and medics around 5:40 p.m. near the corner of State and Water streets as vehicles entered the convention perimeter.

Temperatures in Milwaukee reached the upper 80s Monday. With the high humidity, the heat index reached around 92 degrees.

As of 6:30 p.m., fire and medical personnel have responded to a dozen heat-related calls, according to Milwaukee Fire Department Lt. Carlos Velazquez Sanchez.

— Drake Bentley, Gina Castro, Bridget Fogarty

Liz Truss, former UK prime minister, is attending the RNC

Liz Truss, the former Conservative Party prime minister of the United Kingdom, is at the RNC.Truss posted a photo of herself in front of Fiserv Forum on X, formerly Twitter, Monday afternoon.

“Great to be at @RNC in Milwaukee seeing President Trump get nominated,” she said in the post. “The leadership the West needs.”

According to The Guardian, Truss is expected to speak at the event.

Following an assassination attempt on Trump, Truss encouraged her 666,400 X followers to pray for the former president and America.  She later took to X again to call Trump “the strength the world needs.”

Truss was a member of Parliament for South West Norfolk in various capacities from 2010 to 2024. Earlier this month, she lost her seat in Parliament in the U.K. general election.

In 2022, Truss resigned around a month and a half after becoming UK prime minister, making her the shortest-serving UK PM, BBC reported.

— Hannah Kirby 

U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Cory Booker meet with high school students

U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Cory Booker of New Jersey spoke with a group of high school students at the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Monday afternoon, listening to stories of why investing in the arts should be more important for the federal government.

The two also weighed in on Trump’s vice presidential selection in the hours after the announcement.

Baldwin said that Trump’s selection of Vance was an “expected choice in many ways.” She said she’s worked to author legislation with Vance, but said that Democrats now have to keep the focus on their values.

“What we have to keep the focus on is the difference between what Democrats stand for and our ticket,” she said. “And what (Republicans) stand for, Project 2025 is extremely scary. And voters need to know that they have a real choice.”

Booker echoed that sentiment.

“They don’t stand with the values of the majority of American people when it comes to things like health coverage, with reproductive rights,” he said. “So this is going to be a very clear choice.”

The senators also addressed the growing amount of political violence in America, which culminated in former president being shot Saturday.

— Laura Schulte

Interview with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley

Church flies LGBTQ+ Pride flag as message of love

Just a couple of blocks east of Fiserv Forum at Village Church, Pastor Donna Brown and congregants hung up an LGBTQ+ Pride flag outside the front of the unassuming building.

“We’re called to be inclusive and loving,” Brown said. “Anybody is welcome in, even if they don’t agree with us.”

She and four members of the church were laying out food and drinks inside the building, preparing for the rescheduled gathering. It’s a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America denomination with a special designation to welcome LGBTQ+ individuals.

Earlier, she had placed a sign in large font on the front door reading “No Weapons Allowed."

“We don’t feel violence is an answer,” Brown said. “More weapons cause more violence.”

Lifelong Milwaukeean and member of the church Bill Koehn, 73, said security and the events of the last 48 hours were the main topics of conversation at the church’s Sunday service.

“The bottom line is we are all about spreading the message of love and we don’t discriminate,” Koehn said.

Gesturing to the flag, he said: “If somebody has an issue with this being displayed or the fact that there is a church right here, on whatever level, that’s why we have our doors open so we can sit down and have a dialogue like this and get the opinions from people.”

While he lamented Milwaukee's failed DNC in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Koehn said he was “OK” with the convention being in Milwaukee, especially the economic benefits and how it highlights the city of Milwaukee “in a way that doesn’t happen very often.”

— Vanessa Swales

Man disrupting protesters arrested by Milwaukee police

A 36-year-old man was arrested Monday afternoon after disrupting protesters during the end of a march at Red Arrow Park, according to the Milwaukee Police Department.

Authorities say 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 the park, 920 N. Water St., around 3:20 p.m.

Milwaukee police said the man was arrested, cited and later released.

The video of the incident, which was posted on X, has more than 6,000 views:

— Adrienne Davis, Gina Castro, Bridget Fogarty

Trump cereal for sale

Crosswords lovers can have a Trump-themed start to their morning with a MAGA-branded cereal available for sale.

In the “soft” pedestrian zone, Milwaukee residents Crystal King and another person employed by the Trump campaign hung up posters advertising Trump cereal boxes that promises “greatness in every bowl.” They said it tasted like Fruity Pebbles.

Boxes are $30 a pop, or $20 if you’re willing to forgo the cereal inside it.

“Missing those lively family discussions? Trump Cereal is your new table centerpiece,” the website says. “It's not just about the crunch, but the conversations it sparks — from light-hearted banter to deep political chats.”

The crossword puzzle on the back includes phrases like “fake news,” “crooked Hillary” and we won’t spoil the rest.

— Claudia Levens and Kelly Meyerhofer

Canary Coffee seeing more customers 'for a Monday'

Canary Coffee, just outside the hard security perimeter at 720 N. King Dr., saw an uptick in business on the first day of the convention.

“A lot more business than normal for a Monday,” said employee Josh Beamsley, adding the customers are not their normal clientele.

In preparation for the big week Canary Coffee stocked up on extra ingredients including double the amount of milk it normally has.

— Ricardo Torres

Researchers surveying protesters for study on contemporary U.S. politics

Student volunteers were surveying protesters at Red Arrow Park on Monday afternoon to understand why people choose to protest and the impact protests may have on contemporary politics in the U.S. The survey is funded and led by Rutgers University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

Michael Heaney of the University of Glasgow and his team have surveyed about 140 people at the RNC in Milwaukee so far. He’s also surveyed protests at previous RNC and DNC conventions in 2008 and 2016. In comparison to previous RNC protests, this year’s is less organized and smaller, Heaney said, possibly due to the recent assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.

“It may make the protests smaller because people are nervous about political events. I would project marginally smaller and marginally more intense protests,” he said.

Sasmit Rahman, 22, and Emily Chu, 22, traveled to from Minneapolis to march on the RNC. Rahman said they are looking forward to the results of the survey specifically around race and gender of protesters. Chu is interested to learn how people’s emotions may push them to attend protests.

“I think it’s interesting to see whether it’s fear or hope that motivates people more,” Chu said.

— Gina Castro

North Carolina delegate loves Trump’s VP pick

North Carolina delegate Pauline Bruno gushed about Vance as Trump’s vice presidential pick.

“We are so pleased,” she said in a seersucker blazer and Trump-printed shoes she bought on Etsy.

Bruno loved Vance’s focus on the Rust Belt in his bestseller "Hillbilly Elegy" that she read two years ago.

Milwaukee has been “so welcoming,” she said. She praised the police and said she had “no concerns” about security.

— Kelly Meyerhofer and Claudia Levens 

Convention-goers say energy is upbeat, unified after delegate roll call

Guests and delegates appeared to be in high spirits as they wandered downtown Milwaukee after the first afternoon of the convention.

Asif Shahzada, a Wisconsin delegate and La Crosse resident, said the energy was “wonderful” inside Fiserv Forum when Trump was officially confirmed as the Republican presidential nominee.

“I love Trump’s policies,” Shahzada said. “Everybody is energetic. It’s fun to meet other delegates.”

Shahzada, who recently immigrated to the U.S. from Pakistan, is attending the RNC for the first time this year and said he’s already met people from at least five other states. He owns and operates The Sushi Pirate, a restaurant in downtown La Crosse.

For other convention-goers, it’s far from their first rodeo: Floyd Brown, a Phoenix resident, said he’s attended every RNC since 1984, save for the mostly virtual convention during the pandemic.

“The party is more unified than I’ve seen in decades,” Brown said after the delegate roll call. “It’s more somber this year, but people are also very upbeat.”

Brown, who is an invited guest at the convention, is also a political commentator and author of  “Counterpunch,”a 2023 book advocating for peaceful resistance against leftist movements. He said he feels the Republican party has unified in the face of rising political division, especially given the assassination attempt on Trump just days before the convention.

Brown is attending the RNC with his wife, Mary Beth, who said she was excited by Trump’s announcement of Vance as his running mate this afternoon.

“I think he’s going to do an excellent job,” Mary Beth Brown said of Vance.

— Maia Pandey

Milwaukee Public Market nearly empty

Bobby Flowers, florist at Marius Bell Floral & Design, arrived at the Milwaukee Public Market around 11 a.m., and as of 5:30 p.m. said he's never seen the market so empty on a Monday.

"It's been dead," he said. "There's usually a lot of tourist traffic here on Mondays, and it's just been so quiet today. It feels so strange."

As of 6 p.m., only eight patrons were seated in the market's upstairs dining area with roughly 20 to 30 patrons shopping or dining on the main floor. Five open tables were available at St. Paul Fish Co.

Outside at the St. Paul Palapa tiki bar, all bar stools were occupied.

— Rachel Bernhard

Actor Russell Brand spotted outside of Baird Center

A photo posted on X shows British comedian and actor Russell Brand, a Trump supporter and conservative internet personality, walking around downtown Milwaukee late Monday afternoon.

The post says he was seen taking photos with fans and police officers near the Baird Center.

Brand is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Monday at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Peck School of the Arts music recital hall, and at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield on Wednesday.

— Quinn Clark

Milwaukee city attorney says Coalition to March on the RNC protest was 'extremely smooth and safe'

City Attorney Evan Goyke Monday evening called the Coalition to March on the RNC protest “extremely smooth and safe.”

“I was really pleased with everyone, I think globally,” said Goyke, who observed the march on the first day of the Republican National Convention. “We had protesters and counter protesters. Everyone that was here seemed well organized, there was communication, law enforcement were everywhere they needed to be, communicating with individuals.”

He said he and his staff would be out in the coming days as well to monitor areas people are expressing their First Amendment rights and how government responds if an incident does occur.

He also said he got to talk with the Columbus Police Department’s 13-member Police Dialogue Team that was also out at the protest.

It’ll be interesting, he said, to see whether Milwaukee pursues a similar team at its own police department.

“It’s a special team with training and background to go into protests or potential civil unrest, these kind of emotion-filled environments, and I thought they did a great job today,” he said.

Communication ahead of time helped ensure everyone was on the same page, Goyke said.

— Alison Dirr

Popular Wisconsin beer sparks political discussion

Spotted Cow, the beer from the New Glarus Brewing Company, prompted the start of a discussion about the beer and its place in Wisconsin culture and politics.

Politico correspondent Adam Wren reported that Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told a passerby that Spotted Cow is pretty good, “but the owner is ultraliberal. Leinenkugel’s is the conservative one.”

However, social users have also made their opinions on the beer and the senator’s criticism.

Journalist Robert Evans said that Wisconsin should be proud of Spotted Cow.

“My primary takeaway from the Milwaukee RNC: Spotted Cow is an excellent beer, shocked by how good it is,” Evans said in an X post.

X user Josh Geise (@joshgeise) said, “Was at Kohler this weekend. Had my first Spotted Cow. So glad to hear it’s ‘ultraliberal.’”

Another X user, Chaddy (@brewcity43) said, “Spotted (C)ow is okay, and (Leinenkugel’s) is average, as well.”

– Angelika Ytuarte

50 Cent will not attend the RNC, rep says

Following reports that rap icon 50 Cent was in discussions with Republican officials about appearing at the convention, his representatives told TMZ that he will not be attending.

"He is not attending (the RNC), as he is slated to be in Shreveport preparing for his ‘Humor and Harmony’ festival,” his rep said

The business mogul, born Curtis Jackson, made a post on X on Saturday of his iconic 2003 album cover but instead replaced himself with Trump.

— Drake Bentley

Doc’s Smokehouse looking for patrons

Doc’s Smokehouse setup a pop up Beer Garden just outside of the hard security zone and not many people have shown up throughout the first day of the convention.

”I think the security measures are more restrictive than we anticipated so it’s really difficult for people to get here,” Brent Brashier, owner of Doc’s Smokehouse, said.

He added there is an exit right in front of the beer garden but not many are going through that way.“Not really anybody knows it’s an exit because it’s padlocked,” Brashier said.

— Ricardo Torres

Model Amber Rose spotted around Milwaukee

Milwaukeeans have seen popular model and TV star Amber Rose around the city in recent days after she announced last week she would be a speaker at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter spotted the model, rapper and television personality eating at the Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar in downtown Milwaukee Sunday afternoon. Fans gathered around the model and took photos with her, including one resident who snapped a selfie with Rose outside the restaurant.

The popular television personality has been trending on social media following her announcement back in May that she was in support of former President Donald Trump. Rose announced on July 8 on X that she would be a speaker for the RNC.

— Adrienne Davis, Quinn Clark

Jason Storms criticizes Republican Party's abortion stance

Jason Storms, national director for Operation Save America, appeared outside the Marcus Center around 5 p.m. to criticize the Republican Party for not taking a stronger stance on abortion.

“We’re committed to the protection of preborn children,” said Storms. Storms was scheduled to speak at Haymarket Square at 4 p.m. but relocated because it was deserted.

When the Republican Party finalized its platform this week, it did not include language calling for a national ban on abortion.

The platform stated: “We believe that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that no person can be denied Life or Liberty without Due Process, and that the States are, therefore, free to pass Laws protecting those rights.”

According to its website, Operation Save America argues a “biblical worldview must govern all areas of both our private and public lives.” It is known for displaying graphic images of aborted fetuses as part of its anti-abortion advocacy and has stated that women who have abortions should be subject to the death penalty. Storms is the son-in-law of anti-abortion extremist Matt Trewhella.

Storms was accompanied by several of his teenage children, who held large banners with anti-abortion imagery and quotes from the Bible.

— Alex Groth and Cleo Krejci

Attendee mixes RNC with her bachelorette party

Temperatures have remained steadily in the high 80s across Milwaukee’s downtown.

And as the afternoon has chugged along, Milwaukee’s Deer District has started to fill out with delegates, guests and volunteers spilling out from Fiserv Forum, seeking out cooling refreshments at local establishments like freshly opened New Fashioned, and its veteran neighbors, The DW Pub and The Mecca.

Conservative nonprofit Turning Point Action blasted out from speakers, ringing loudly throughout the plaza, discussing the recent pick of J.D. Vance as Trump’s vice presidential pick.

For Texan delegate alternate Rachel Sikes, it’s where she’ll celebrate her bachelorette party as the table calls for more cheese curds at The New Fashioned

“It was just happenstance,” she said.

She’s getting married July 27. So far, they’ve enjoyed drinks on Lake Mendota in Madison, where they're staying.

She said she was OK with the vice presidential choice.

“It wasn’t my first choice, but I support the president,” she said.

— Vanessa Swales and Jordyn Noennig

Senate candidate Rejani Raveendran campaigns at Red Arrow Park

Rejani Raveendran, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, was introducing herself to people in Red Arrow Park Monday afternoon to encourage them to vote for her in the Republican Party primary election Aug. 13.

Raveendran was the first Republican candidate to challenge Tammy Baldwin, and will run against Eric Hovde inthe GOP primary. A U.S. citizen who immigrated from India and lives in Stevens Point, Raveendran worked as a nurse and is now at UW-Stevens Point, earning her degree in political science.

She said she's concerned about food and gas prices, border security and homelessness.

“I just want to do what I can because I do not trust any politicians,” she said.

Raveendran said she wasn't invited to speak at the convention and has received several phone calls from Republican leaders, asking her to step down and support Hovde.

“I said I cannot do that, because I do not want to betray the people,” Raveendran said.

— Bridget Fogarty, Gina Lee Castro

Wisconsin Republican Chairman Brian Schimming praises J.D. Vance as VP pick

Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming praised Trump’s vice presidential pick Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as someone with a “compelling personal story” and said Vance’s Midwest ties could help Wisconsin Republicans.

“As with most swing states, we’re looking for surrogates. We’re looking for people who can come in and identify with voters quickly,” Schimming said. “And he can do that."

“That’s why it makes a difference,” Schimming added. “He can roll into a state like Wisconsin and immediately click. So anytime he wants to come to Wisconsin, I will put him in the car and personally drive him around.”

Asked about Vance’s opposition to abortion, Schimming said Trump is the candidate “driving the issues and driving where people are.”

“Donald Trump has not been laid back about saying, ‘Look, I’m not signing a national abortion ban,” Schimming said.

— Lawrence Andrea

Warm weather cools off sales for Convention Fest

Walking outside in near 90 degree weather isn't an ideal shopping environment, but that was the case for the first day of Convention Fest.

Monday, dozens of vendors showed off their products or services to credentialed delegates, media and other officials.

Madan Raj, founder and president of Bobbletopia, started his company in Omaha, Nebraska, four years ago and quickly moved to Milwaukee.

Raj had several versions of Trump in presidential form, but also as William Wallace from the movie "Braveheart," and the Trumpinator, inspired by the "Terminator."

“People have taken pictures of the Trump bobbleheads,” Raj said, adding he’s had a few sales but many people have opted to buy items later in the week, so they don’t have to carry it as long.

Raj said he's been working with the Committee on Arrangements for the Republican National Committee to register for the event and drop off his inventory.

“They have great staff behind the scenes who take care of all of that. They set up the tent, the tables were provided. All I had to really take care of was inventory, which I brought in,” Raj said. “We had to set up Thursday and Friday. Secret Service did their sweep on the weekend ... and today, just final setup.”

— Ricardo Torres

Protest zones draw few demonstrators

Zeidler Union Square, one of the city’s two designated protest zones, has been empty for most of Monday, except for a couple dozen security staff.

There’s been more dog-walkers than protesters, a security staffer said. A small group of about 15 people were in the park earlier in the day.

Haymarket Square, another of the city’s two protest zones, had no protestors at 4 p.m. The platform has been quiet all day.

— Kelly Meyerhofer and Claudia Levens

Vance gets official RNC nomination for vice president

Hours after former Trump announced U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance was his pick for vice president, the nomination became official at the RNC in downtown Milwaukee.

When Vance entered the arena, he was greeted by cheers and chants of “J.D.” as well as “USA!”

His welcome seemed to be delayed by an apparent teleprompter malfunction that led to a jam band playing for at least 30 minutes.

— Mary Spicuzza

50 Cent memes flood social media, RNC appearance rumored

Journalists at CNN reported Monday afternoon on X that rap icon 50 Cent has spoken with Republican officials about making an appearance at the convention, according to people "familiar" with the situation.

The rapper and producer for hit television shows has been trending on social media lately following Saturday's attempted assassination of Trump.

50 Cent, born Curtis Jackson, survived a shooting in 2000. On the track “Many Men” from his 2003 album “Get Rich or Die Tryin,” 50 Cent raps about having enemies and people targeting him. The song has become a soundtrack for many on social media after the assassination attempt.

50 Cent posted to X on Saturday his iconic album cover, edited with a picture of Trump instead.

“Trump gets shot and now I’m trending,” he said.

In early June, 50 Cent and civil rights attorney Ben Crump appeared on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to advocate for more opportunities in the liquor industry. Speaking with CBS News at the time, 50 Cent said that he hadn't decided who he wanted to vote for in the upcoming election but could see Black men "identifying with Trump."

— Drake Bentley

RNC band steps up after apparent teleprompter malfunction

A band was rocking out at Fiserv Forum after House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a teleprompter malfunction at the RNC.

The band played for about 30 minutes before the teleprompter started working properly again.

— Mary Spicuzza

Republicans, equipment makers address manufacturing at RNC event

Milwaukee-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers hosted a policy-focused event Monday with Republicans Gov. Glenn Youngkin, of Virgina; U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, and U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin.

A panel discussion addressed pro-growth economic policies, which Republicans say are necessary to bolster U.S. manufacturing and competitiveness.

It also highlighted the storied history that manufacturing and mining equipment manufacturer Komatsu have in Milwaukee.

The event was held at Komatsu’s mining equipment headquarters in Milwaukee’s Harbor District.

Komatsu builds some of the world’s largest mobile land machines. Its biggest mining shovel weighs nearly 4 million pounds and has a bucket the size of a two-car garage. In front of the company's mining equipment headquarters in Milwaukee's Harbor District, there's a 60-foot-tall electric mining shovel and 850,000-pound truck on display.

— Rick Barrett

Ripon’s Little White Schoolhouse gets an RNC roll call shoutout

When Brian Schimming, chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, welcomed convention-goers during the RNC roll call at Fiserv Forum on Monday afternoon, he gave a shoutout to the GOP’s Wisconsin roots.

“One hundred and seventy years ago, this great party was founded down the road in Ripon, Wisconsin, in a little white schoolhouse,” Schimming said, flanked by former Gov. Scott Walker and others.

Ripon’s Little White Schoolhouse is yet more proof that there is indeed always a Wisconsin connection.

— Mary Spicuzza

Street vendor selling bloody Trump photo and pins for $5 each

A T-shirt vendor is selling Trump merchandise, including a photo and pin of Donald Trump after he survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

For delegates and credentialed guests looking to get their hands on the golden Trump sneakers for $600, 365 Campaign is selling two pairs outside the Baird Center, sizes 6.5 and 7.5, for $600 each.

“They’re very hard to come by,” manager Anthony Montgomery said. “They sell out quick.”

Montgomery has a pair of his own.

“I just wanted to see what it felt like to walk like President Trump,” Montgomery said. “This is the closest thing to it.”

Before coming to Milwaukee, Montgomery said the company was selling merchandise in Pennsylvania when Trump was nearly killed by an assassin.

“It felt like a regular rally,” Montgomery said. “President Trump showed up, and I call it the seven-minute speech because that’s literally all he really had before they tried to take his life.”

Montgomery said the shots sounded like fireworks but when he saw people running, that’s when he knew something serious happened.

“I felt disrespected in a sense,” Montgomery said. “I felt like, 'How could they let something like this happen?'”Montgomery said he tried to keep his composure and help out people where they needed it.

— Ricardo Torres

Tensions rise between RNC protesters, anti-abortion group at Red Arrow Park

Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, an anti-abortion group, is demonstrating in Red Arrow Park, where protesters from the Coalition to March on the RNC are resting after their march.

Tensions are high between the anti-abortion group and those who disagree with them. But Coalition security guards formed a barrier around the group as they laid on the ground to demonstrate.

The group staged a “wedding” between the “abortion industry” and the Republican Party. A woman in white dress spattered with fake blood “married” a man wearing a pool noodle on his nose to represent an elephant trunk.

A person was shouting through a bullhorn at close range to the group, and members of the group shouted back. One member activated a siren sound on his bullhorn.

This all occurred as speakers affiliated with the Coalition held their own rally feet away on the slab of concrete that in the winter serves as an ice rink.

— Sophie Carson and Kathryn Muchnick

Biden-Harris campaign criticizes Trump VP pick

Biden-Harris Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon criticized Trump’s selection of J.D. Vance as his running mate Monday afternoon.

“Donald Trump picked J.D. Vance as his running mate because Vance will do what Mike Pence wouldn’t on January 6: bend over backwards to enable Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda, even if it means breaking the law and no matter the harm to the American people,” Dillon said in a statement.

She also condemned Vance’s stances on abortion, tax cuts and certification of the 2020 presidential election. Vance is staunchly against abortion but told NBC's "Meet the Press" that he supports access to the abortion drug mifepristone.

The statement said the Biden-Harris ticket is “focused on uniting the country, creating opportunity for everyone and lowering costs” while the Trump-Vance ticket’s “harmful agenda will take away Americans’ rights, hurt the middle class, and make life more expensive — all while benefiting the ultra-rich and greedy corporations.”

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler in a Monday statement said, “The stakes of this election just got impossibly higher” as a result of Trump’s selection of Vance as his running mate.

“Should Donald Trump win another term in the White House, there’s no question that J.D. Vance would put loyalty to Trump and the GOP’s extreme agenda over the country,” Wikler said. “In election after election, we’ve seen Wisconsinites reject the extreme, anti-freedom Trump-Vance agenda — and they’ll do it again this November.”

— Rachel Hale

Trump is officially nominated for president

It's official: Trump was officially nominated for president during the delegate roll call at the RNC Monday afternoon.

Eric Trump, Donald Trump's son, delivered the delegates that formally put the former president over the top, USA TODAY reported.

“On behalf of our entire family and on behalf of the 125 delegates in the unbelievable state of Florida, we hereby nominate every single one of them for the greatest president that’s ever lived, and that’s Donald J. Trump, hereby declaring him the Republican nominee for president of the United States of America,” he said.

— Hope Karnopp

Trump has his VP pick: Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance

A little over an hour before his vice presidential choice was set to be revealed, Trump announced on Truth Social that he chose U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio to be his running mate.

Vance will be "strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American workers and farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond," Trump wrote.

— Hope Karnopp

Coalition to March on the RNC passes Fiserv Forum

The Coalition to March on the RNC 2024 passed the northern end of its march route a block from Fiserv Forum early Monday afternoon, crossing the Juneau Avenue bridge about 1:20 p.m.

Despite its size, the group’s chants were largely inaudible to a reporter on the Deer District plaza, where music was playing and at least one interview was taking place over a loud speaker at one point.

The group stopped for a few minutes outside the entrance to the credentials-only “hard” security zone at North King Drive and West Highland Avenue. While they were there, their shouts mingled with music on the southeast end of the plaza.

The group had said its primary goal was to be within “sight and sound” of Fiserv Forum, and its route went right up against the fence that delineates the credentials-only “hard” zone from the security “footprint” where members of the public are able to enter.

Its route took the group closer to Fiserv Forum than the city-designated demonstration area at Haymarket Square Park a bit farther north.

— Alison Dirr

Parental rights, gender ideology take center stage in Heritage Foundation Policy Fest afternoon session

Heritage Foundation researchers promoted traditional family values and bashed gender ideology during the afternoon panel of “Heritage Policy Fest: Fighting for America’s Future.”

Heritage Foundation panelists Vice President of Domestic Policy Roger Severino, Senior Legal Fellow Sarah Parshall Perry, Senior Research Associate for the Tech Policy Center Daniel Cochrane criticized the Biden administration's handling of Title IX and children's social media usage in a panel moderated by conservative personality Liz Wheeler in the Bradley Symphony Center.

“We have to take back as parents our God-given right to parent our children, even when it's tough,” Perry said.

Biden, in one of his first executive actions, expanded federal anti-discrimination statutes that cover sex discrimination in regards to gender identity and sexual orientation, including for transgender individuals.

Perry said the first thing she’d like to see Trump do in office is revoke “all guidance” on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“From that first pebble, we see an avalanche of gender identity and orthodoxy in every system in America,” Perry said. “That is the primary responsibility, I think, of the next administration is to make sure that they don't sacrifice children on the altar of woke progressivism.”

Cochrane said gender ideology is spreading on platforms like Tik Tok. Panelists criticized youth access to inappropriate social media content and pornography. Cochran said sites like Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube should enact age-verification requirements.

Perry also said she wants Biden’s timeline on Title IX to remove expansions on gender ideology rescinded. She blamed teachers’ unions for “outsized influence” over educational policy agenda items like critical race theory, LGBTQ+ curriculum and hosting “drag queens for story hours.”

LGBTQ+ experts say the Biden administration’s expansion of LGBTQ+ protections and gender affirming care has helped combat harassment and discrimination. His policies have earned him the endorsement of LGBTQ+ advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign.

— Rachel Hale

Combating deep fakes in politics requires quick action but not over-reacting

The challenges posed by deep fakes in election campaigns are global, but on Monday, Microsoft Corp. addressed them as part of the RNC.

Deep fakes are images, videos or audio recordings convincingly altered to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something they didn’t actually do or say. One example in the presidential campaign was a fake voice message claiming to be President Joe Biden urging New Hampshire voters not to take part in the primary election.

Monday at noon, as part of its Democracy Forward campaign, Microsoft offered free training in identifying and addressing deep fakes, especially in political campaigns.

“We’re very concerned about what the next few months look like leading into the U.S. election,” Ginny Badanes, general manager of Democracy Forward said in a Journal Sentinel interview.

“I would say anywhere a political leader is talking publicly and being recorded, there’s a risk of that recording being manipulated to make it look like they said something at that event they didn’t say,” she added.

A poorly made deep fake may be easy to identify. Voices that sound robotic, or unnatural speech patterns, are signs. Strange eye movements and a lack of blinking are other indicators. But detection is more difficult in a professionally made deep fake, and some of the most convincing are in local elections, according to Microsoft.

A quick response, pointing people to the correct information, is important when a political campaign has been attacked with a deep fake or other type of false narrative.

Here are some tips from Microsoft:

Initiate an immediate response,  based on factual data, that dismantles the falsehoods without amplifying them.

To start, evaluate the content’s potential impact. While a campaign may dislike AI-generated parodies of their candidate, an aggressive response risks being seen as humorless or suppressing free speech.

For content not warranting a serious response, options include ignoring it while monitoring for escalation or responding in a lighthearted manner, which can turn a negative into a positive. But if the content crosses ethical or legal boundaries, swift and unified action is necessary to contain its spread and control the narrative.

By promptly addressing false claims, you establish your version of events as the initial narrative, potentially inoculating audiences against subsequent misinformation.

If it’s a deep-fake video of a candidate, typically there’s a genuine video on which the fake was based. “That is one of the best antidotes, to get that out publicly, and say it’s the real video,” Badanes said.

When deep fakes come with a high probability of losing votes, options include calling a press conference, issuing a public statement, or asking for a retraction. When there's a medium risk, options include activating supporter networks to push back, and considering a public statement. Low risk: Do nothing, so as not to amplify the falsehoods.

Here’s a Microsoft quiz to test your abilities: Real Or Not (realornotquiz.com)

— Rick Barrett

Severe thunderstorms expected for Milwaukee area in late afternoon and evening

The National Weather Service says more severe thunderstorms will move into the Milwaukee area late this afternoon and into the evening, peaking between 6 and 10 p.m.

Severe winds, heavy rain and hail are the main threats, though Milwaukee County has a 2-4% chance for tornadoes. Storms are expected to be stronger along Wisconsin's border with Illinois.

The outdoor Convention Fest is scheduled to end at 5:30 p.m., and the evening official session inside Fiserv Forum runs from 5:45 p.m. until 10 p.m. That means delegates and media are likely to be indoors when severe weather comes through.

— Hope Karnopp

RNC uses influencers to reach young voters

The RNC is using a new method to reach youth voters this week — more than 70 influencers. Youth Advisory Council Co-Chairs Brilyn Hollyhand, 18, and CJ Pearson, 21, lead the effort.

“Young people don't trust billboards, they don't trust pamphlets, they don't trust direct mail, they don’t trust TV ads. They trust people,” Pearson said. “If we can mobilize influencers to fight for America, to come to our side, we can mobilize legions of young people as well.”

Among them are former Miss Universe judge and social media personality Emily Austin, Mikel Simmons of Bravo’s “Southern Hospitality” and Xaviaer DuRousseau, a creator with conservative organization PragerU.

DuRousseau said influencers help bridge the trust gap between candidates and voters.

“We are able to make the information palatable,” DuRousseau said. “We've gone through all the fluff, we've seen the details. Now, here is a summarized version from me, an influencer, someone that you trust.”

The Democratic National Convention Committee last month announced similar plans to five influencers access credentials in Chicago.

— Rachel Hale

Anti-abortion protesters rally in Haymarket Square

About 50 anti-abortion protesters rallied at Haymarket Square Park around noon.

Among them was Matt Sande, Pro-Life Wisconsin legislative director. He said the initial goal was to encourage the Republican Party to strengthen their stance on abortion.

But after the RNC platform committee announced a softened stance on abortion, Sande turned from “frustrated” to “angry.”

“The national Republican Party, the RNC and the president ought not to take the pro-life base for granted,” he said.

He said some who find the GOP abortion stance objectionable may stay home from the polls. Others will vote but will avoid enthusiastically door-knocking and other get-out-the-vote efforts, he said.

He said even if Trump were elected, it would be difficult to pass the kind of anti-abortion legislation he wants — such as a ban at conception or “fetal personhood” protections.

Fetal personhood would grant embryos and fetuses legal and constitutional protections that are equivalent to the person who's carrying them at every stage of pregnancy.

Legal experts have said any recognition of fetal personhood could have ripple effects far beyond a nationwide ban on abortion with no exceptions, potentially outlawing in vitro fertilization, embryonic stem cell research and some forms of birth control.

“This is really taking the air out of the tires,” Sande said. “Literally and emotionally, it’s deflating to the base.”

— Sophie Carson and Kathryn Muchnick

Cheese curd vendor at Convention Fest brought over 360 pounds of cheese

There's one vendor at Convention Fest that will undoubtedly be popular: Wisconsin Fried Cheese Curds, owned and operated by David and Sanita Hofer. They've been in business for 16 years, working about 60 fairs and festivals in the Milwaukee area each season.

"This is not our first rodeo," David Hofer said about introducing out-of-state visitors to cheese curds. He has a sign set up next to the tent that explains the process of making cheese curds.

Hofer likes fried and raw cheese curds equally, but "every time I think I'm getting sick of eating fried curds, I find myself still eating fried curds."

Hofer first learned about Convention Fest by reading about it in the paper. They went to a trade show, and convention organizers asked them a few months ago if they'd be interested in being a vendor.

Hofer, who was working the booth Monday afternoon with his two daughters, was getting customers even before Convention Fest officially started at 2 p.m. And they expected to keep selling even after the event wraps up at 5:30 p.m.

He found a calculator and estimated he brought 360 pounds of cheese for the curds to Convention Fest, plus 60 pounds of sliced cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches. Those cheeses come from Ellsworth and Plymouth, Wisconsin.

"I'm just hoping that we can represent the great state of Wisconsin with high-quality food," Hofer said.

There were plenty more Wisconsin vendors outside, including a beef stick stand. Drink Wisconsinbly also had tents and displayed not-so-political signs, such as "I support fish frys," "Pro-beers & bratwursts" and "Vote yes: Brandy old fashioneds."

— Hope Karnopp

Milwaukee City Attorney Evan Goyke observes march

City Attorney Evan Goyke and former deputy city attorney Adam Stephens, who's working for the city this week as special counsel, observe the march from the front.

Goyke declined to answer questions. He previously told the Journal Sentinel that he and Stephens would be observing protest activity around the RNC throughout the week.

So far, there hasn't been a large law enforcement presence around the march. A unit of officers on bicycles were seen staying a couple blocks away from the demonstration.

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman has said he wants the department to be largely "invisible" when it comes to policing mass demonstrations during the RNC.

— Rory Linnane and John Diedrich

Coalition to March on the RNC begins, route to go through downtown Milwaukee

Hundreds of people started marching at noon Monday.

The Coalition to March on the RNC has a planned route of heading south on Water Street, across the Milwaukee River on Wells Street, before marching south on Plankinton Avenue.

The group will then cross the river again and march north on Water Street to West Juneau Avenue, then south on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive before crossing the river again at West State Street.

— Rory Linnane and John Diedrich

Event staff near Haymarket Square are trained in de-escalation

The first two groups scheduled to speak at the Haymarket Square Park protest zone were no-shows.

That's according to Ashanti Hamilton, director of the city's Office of Community Wellness and Safety (formerly the Office of Violence Prevention). He was at the zone to coordinate the speaker's platform and a group of event security staff in orange shirts.

Most of the staff were community organizers trained in de-escalation and mediation tactics, Hamilton said.

"These are the most experienced folks that we have in crowd control," he said.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 15 speakers were scheduled to take to the platform, he said. Because the park was nearly empty, at least one group of protesters stopped by, then promptly left, Hamilton said.

He said the Trump assassination attempt changed the potential protest landscape.

"I'm just hoping, now that we have heightened tensions, that those things don't boil over into any of the demonstration activities," he said.

— Sophie Carson and Kathryn Muchnick

Bay View restaurant to donate portion of sales to progressive organizations this week

Bay View restaurant Heirloom MKE, 2378 S. Howell Ave., said it will donate a portion of its sales this week to several progressive organizations:

• Planned Parenthood

• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

• GLAD: GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders

• Everytown for Gun Safety

• Environmental Defense Fund

“A reminder to our customers that Heirloom MKE is nowhere near the security perimeters of the RNC,” an Instagram post read. “Some might say we are in the perfect place to stay out of the chaos.”

— Jessica Rodriguez

Only a handful of people in Zeidler Union Square, and most are security staff

No police presence at the protest zone located in Zeidler Union Square so far. About a handful of security staff wearing bright orange T-shirts are scattered throughout the area.

At around 11:40 a.m., three people at the square's pavilion briefly read testimonies from both local and national victims of gun violence, attracting one spectator.

— Quinn Clark

Ripon's Little White Schoolhouse replica at RNC built by high schoolers

A replica of the Little White Schoolhouse from Ripon, Wisconsin, is on display at the RNC's Convention Fest outside the Baird Center and Panther Arena.

A one-third scale replica of the schoolhouse, constructed by Ripon High School students for parades and city events, will be on display at the RNC.

The full-size schoolhouse was Ripon's first public school, built in 1853, and is now more popularly known as the Little White School House, the birthplace of the Republican Party.

"We are so excited to have a way to showcase the incredible history that took place here in Ripon 170 years ago," Ripon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Kimes told the Fond du Lac Reporter. "This is Ripon’s unique history and contribution to the development of our nation."

— Hope Karnopp

Milwaukee firefighter staffing double for RNC, union president says

The Milwaukee Fire Department is staffing about double its normal number of workers for the RNC.

Eric Daun, the president of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association, said that, on an average day, there are about 200 firefighters staffed around the city, but there’s “well over 200” additional staff for the convention.

“I would say the members are being taxed to the max of their capacity,” Daun said. “We’re doing it to the best of their ability. I’ll say that.”

He said the department is getting help from suburban Milwaukee County departments. However, unlike with the police, there’s no out-of-state help.

“Stress is at a higher level, but it is what it is. It’s to be expected,” Daun said.

Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said the department had responded to a handful of minor incidents Monday morning. Overall, he said the day was going well.

"We got a lot of the kinks out on Sunday," he said. "We're feeling OK with things out here."

— David Clarey

About 500 people gather for Coalition the March on the RNC rally at Red Arrow Park before march

With a rally underway ahead of the noon march by the Coalition the March on the RNC, a crowd of about 500 has gathered at Red Arrow, so far smaller than what organizers said they anticipated, about 5,000.

Attendees have come from across the country to bring attention to a range of issues.

Charlie Berg came from Minneapolis with the Climate Justice Committee. He said the Democratic and Republican parties have both failed to address climate change.

“We need a platform and policy that is actually going to address climate change and we can’t do that so long as we have U.S. militarism, so long as we have reliance on fossil fuels, and so long as those corrupt parties are in power,” Berg said.

Badger Van Grey, who is hosting a sign-making station, said the most common signs have included a focus on immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights, “We can no longer afford the rich” and “Free Palestine.”

A handful of counter-protesters are at Red Arrow, deriding LBGTQ+ people and the Black Lives Matter movement.

A speaker with the group said he was from Indiana and identified himself only as Jim with Street Preachers. The man protested outside the 2016 RNC in Cleveland and has appeared on college campuses for many years.

Some march attendees stood around the small group to film them but there were few interactions.

— Rory Linnane

Journal Sentinel's JR Radcliffe, Kristin Brey preview RNC in Milwaukee

Coalition to March on the RNC protesters speak about Gaza, abortion rights

As hundreds gathered in Red Arrow Park Monday, Kobi Guillory, a Chicago teacher and central committee member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, kicked off the press conference with a focus on Palestinians in Gaza.

“Our government, in a bipartisan initiative, is committing genocide in Palestine with our tax dollars and reinforcing daily militarism,” Guillory said.

Ahead of the march, Coalition Co-Chair Omar Flores said he expected the top issues for marchers would be abortion rights and standing with Palestinian people.

On Oct. 7, Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in a cross-border raid into southern Israel, according to Israeli authorities.

Israel has retaliated with an intense military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, including women and children, medical authorities in Gaza have said.

Several people told the Journal Sentinel they had come from Atlanta and Minnesota with Gaza top of mind.

Victoria Hinckley, who said she was expelled from the University of South Florida for her involvement in a Palestinian-solidarity encampment there, attended the march with others from Students for a Democratic Society. Hinckley’s remarks Monday focused on abortion.

“These attacks on reproductive freedom and abortion access are harshly felt in the South, especially in states like Florida and Texas with the emergence of anti-abortion bills banning abortion within the first few weeks of pregnancy,” she said.

— Rory Linnane and Ashley Luthern

Milwaukee 70-something couple comes to march against RNC

Bill Nantell and girlfriend Kathleen Joynt, both in their mid-70s who live near downtown Milwaukee, said they came to Red Arrow Park Monday to march against Republican policies on abortion, racism and senior benefits.

"I have voted for both Democrats and Republicans," Nantell said. "This is not a Republican Party I am familiar with at all."

Nantell said he would like President Joe Biden to step aside for a younger candidate. But he will vote for him if Biden stays in.

— John Diedrich

Street evangelists among the few at Haymarket Square Park

A handful of street evangelists stood in a strip of shade on Haymarket Square Park, at North King Drive and West McKinley Avenue, holding signs with Bible verses.

One man with a microphone was preaching to a near-empty park.

Warren Marquardt of Polk City, Florida, affiliated with Calvary Chapel, said he attends four or five public events a year to spread his message. He recognized the other preachers as regulars at big events.

“There’s no politician that’s going to come on the scene and make it all right,” he said.

Stirling Long of Dawsonville, Georgia, affiliated with Providence Bible Church, a Reformed Baptist church, held a sign that read, “Are you going to Heaven? Free test.”

Asked about the Republican Party’s softer abortion stance in its RNC platform, Long said he would not “vote for baby killers.”

“They’re doing it for votes,” he said. “This is a game.”

Marquardt also distanced himself from the GOP stance on abortion, saying, “God will do what God wants to do,” no matter the president in office.

Elsewhere along the security perimeter, streets were quiet. Event security staff in orange T-shirts milled around chatting. Police boats trawled the river.

— Sophie Carson and Kathryn Muchnick

'Reagan' movie posters showing up around RNC security perimeter

Posters for an upcoming movie on President Ronald Reagan have popped up around the security perimeter in Milwaukee.

"Reagan" stars Dennis Quaid and is scheduled to be released Aug. 30.

The RNC is also screening "Reagan" all day every day in the Regency Ballroom at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center for convention-goers.

— Ricardo Torres

Convention Fest sets up outside Panther Arena

Mid-Monday morning, white vendor tents were going up between the Baird Center and Panther Arena for Convention Fest, where those with credentials can experience local food and products.

Among the 100 local businesses participating in Convention Fest are Immy's African Cuisine and Scrima's Pizza. A Wisconsin cheese curds tent was in a prime location.

In the center of the road stood a replica of the Little White Schoolhouse from Ripon, Wisconsin, considered to be the birthplace of the Republican Party.

— Hope Karnopp

Trump expected to announce his VP pick Monday afternoon

Fox News’ Bret Baier says Trump confirmed to him he’ll announce his running mate Monday.

Sources said the schedule calls for a vice presidential nomination shortly after 3:30 p.m., local time; Trump may make an announcement before then.

Top names for the spot include Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. But it’s not out of the question that Trump will make a more surprising pick.

Trump had previously hinted he would announce his VP at the RNC, though that announcement typically came a few days before the convention in campaigns.

— Hope Karnopp and USA TODAY's David Jackson

Artists stage live climate change installation next to RNC security perimeter

A team of actors and artists from Climate Power, a strategic communications organization that seeks to educate Americans on climate change, debuted a public art installation in the windows of the Germania Building, 135 W. Wells St., Monday morning. It’s located just outside the RNC's hard security perimeter.

The exhibit features five street-facing window displays depicting life-sized scenes of people affected by extreme weather situations, including excessive heat and flooding. Actors will bring to life the experiences of real extreme weather survivors who Climate Power and its partner artists have interviewed.

New York-based artist Annie Saunders said the installation is inspired by museum dioramas.

“The aesthetic of a diorama is recognizable; it’s usually for history, it’s for prehistory, it’s for things that were frozen in time and are not happening anymore ...,” she said. “So, using that aesthetic to represent something that is happening but is being willfully ignored is what we’re trying to do.”

The first window of the exhibit depicts a child’s playroom affected by extreme heat. A small plastic chair is melting, crayon wax is pooling on the table, construction paper pinned to the wall is fading, and the wallpaper is curling at the edges. An actor tries frantically to start an air conditioner.

Another window shows men in suits sitting around an office table for a business meeting with their heads literally stuck in a pile of sand in the middle of the table. File cabinets in the hallway leading to the meeting room are strewn about and black tar leaks out of them.

Saunders said this represents politicians and officials who “have their heads in the sand” when it comes to the effects of climate change and choose to accept donations from oil and gas companies.

“The problem with climate change is it’s so conceptual, and the language is so saturated ...,” Saunders said. “It’s being communicated with words, which are fundamentally abstract objects, and you have to hear the word and then have a visual or an emotional response.”

Due to the installation’s proximity to the RNC, Saunders said Climate Power hopes to send a message to elected officials and people in power. She hopes the images stick with officials and help them realize that they too could be the victims of extreme weather.

“Extreme heat and these issues do not discriminate on the basis of wealth and power,” Saunders said. “It’s coming for everyone.”

Saunders and the Climate Power team have been working on the installation for over two months and have been setting it up on the Germania Building’s first floor for five days. Passersby will be able to see it through the windows all day Monday and until about noon Tuesday.

— Claire Reid

Hundreds already gathering at Red Arrow Park for march on RNC

Organizers with the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024 are setting up Monday morning at Red Arrow Park, where they plan to hold a press conference at 10 a.m. and rally at 11 a.m. before marching in protest outside the RNC.

Several hundred people already had gathered at the park by 10 a.m. and the event is expected to draw more than 5,000 people.

Organizers plan to march within a block of the convention’s main site, Fiserv Forum. They have remained committed to the plan despite heightened anxiety about security in the city after the apparent assassination attempt against Trump.

The coalition plans to avoid the credentials-only “hard” security zone around the RNC but plans to enter the “soft” security zone. While the city has a sanctioned march route in the soft zone, the group plans to take its own route to get closer to Fiserv.

On Friday, Coalition Co-Chair Omar Flores said the group had a "handshake agreement" with city officials that the group would be allowed to use its own route. City officials didn’t confirm such an agreement but confirmed they were working with the group to ensure marchers could safely exercise their rights.

The “soft” security zone has special rules under the city’s extraordinary event ordinance, including a ban on certain items like non-plastic water bottles, umbrellas with a metal tip, bike locks, and bags larger than 18-by-13-by-7 inches.

The Coalition consists of local and national organizations, including the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Anti-War Committee.

While the groups' individual missions vary, the Coalition's shared priorities include fighting for reproductive rights, standing with Palestinians and defending the rights of immigrants and LGBTQ people. Many organizers are also unsatisfied with the Democratic Party and plan to protest the Democratic National Convention in August in Chicago.

— Rory Linnane and John Diedrich

Major Goolsby's teams with Broken Bat Brewing to release Screamin' Eagle Lager

If there's a official beer of the RNC, it might be at Major Goolsby's.

The well-known sports bar, just on the outside of the convention hard security zone, partnered with Broken Bat Brewing Company to release Screamin' Eagle Lager.

The restaurant describes the beer as "crisp, refreshing." It's available in 16-ounce cans "until we sell out!"

"A beautiful spin on our traditional Eagle, all artwork was down by our very own Orissa Camille," the restaurant wrote on Facebook. "Get them while they last!"

— Ricardo Torres

Long lines form at security checkpoint outside RNC

A long line of cars and other vehicles had formed by 8 a.m. along North Water Street, leading up to a security checkpoint on West Michigan Street near North Plankinton Avenue.

The cars were waiting to go through one of the five security checkpoints along the edge of the security zone surrounding the RNC.

Law enforcement personnel were instructing drivers at the checkpoint on West Michigan Street to open the hoods of their vehicles, roll down all windows and remain in their vehicles. Once at the checkpoint, law enforcement opened each vehicle’s trunk to check inside and walked a canine around the vehicle.

From near the front of the line at 7:45 a.m., Olivia Rivers of Racine said she had been waiting in line about an hour and a half. She works at the 3rd Street Market Hall and had gotten in line about 6:20 a.m. She was supposed to start work at 7.

“The Market Hall told us we’d need an extra hour of travel time,” she said. “I didn’t figure it would take this long.”

Britney Carter of Milwaukee also works inside the security zone and was late to work Monday morning because of the delays.

“I didn’t know it would be like this,” she said.

She works at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and waited in line for about 40 minutes.

Avery Leo, who lives in the security zone, also didn’t expect the long wait and said he would consider taking a different route to get home.

“It’s annoying,” he said.

— Sarah Volpenhein

Downtown RNC 'soft' security zone quiet

The downtown “soft” security zone/footprint where pedestrians can freely cross inside, was quiet Monday morning.

Pedestrians with various levels of credentials — or not — walked through and police at the fences denoting the credentials-only “hard” zone seemed relaxed. A few vehicles moved through the area.

— Alison Dirr

Microsoft has 'deep fakes' training at noon and 5 p.m.

As part of its Democracy Forward campaign, Microsoft Corp. is offering free training in Milwaukee on Monday aimed at helping political campaigns, activists and party officials identify and address deep fakes, which are images or videos convincingly altered to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something they didn’t actually do or say.

The sessions, focused on women, democracy and elections, are at noon and 5 p.m. at Northern Lights, an event venue at 106 W. Seeboth St. Speakers will include Ginny Badanes, general manager of the Democracy Forward campaign; and Republican U.S. Reps. Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma; Burgess Owens of Utah; and Kat Cammack of Florida.

— Rick Barrett

Ron Johnson chart credited as difference-maker in Trump assassination attempt

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson may have played a serendipitous role in Trump surviving the Saturday assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.

That’s because Trump, as he detailed in an interview with the New York Post, turned his head slightly the moment before shots were fired to read a chart on illegal immigration. The source of that chart? Johnson, who spoke about it on Fox News's Special Report with Bret Baier.

In an interview with Baier, the senator said he initially showed a chart on illegal immigration to Trump on a plane ride to a rally in Green Bay. The senator said that Trump liked the chart, and his team took it, tweaked it and used it at the Saturday rally.

A bullet pierced Trump's right ear, but he wasn't seriously injured.

“I’m happy to have been of service there,” Johnson said on the Fox News program.

— David Clarey

Police make two arrests Sunday near RNC security zone, welcome party

Police made two arrests near the Republican National Convention grounds and its events Sunday.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said both incidents involved drunk people. One person was arrested near the Summerfest grounds, near where a convention welcome party was being held, and another was arrested after driving into a security barrier near the convention.

“The events overnight were described to me as really uneventful,” Johnson said at a morning press conference. “There’s been a lot of preparation that’s gone on into the planning of this political convention and the bulk of that planning has been directly involved in and around the area of public safety.”

— David Clarey

RNC weather: It'll be a hot, humid day, with a chance of storms Monday night

The weather forecast looks hot for the convention's first day.

Milwaukee is expected to see a high of 89 degrees around 5 p.m., with a heat index of 95, according to the National Weather Service. Heat indices in the 90s are expected between 1 and 8 p.m. High humidity is also in the forecast throughout the day, causing things to feel "uncomfortable," said Milwaukee-Sullivan NWS meteorologist Marcia Cronce.

The heat and humidity should feel similar to Sunday, when Milwaukee County was under a heat advisory. However, a heat advisory isn't expected to be issued Monday because heat indices will be just below 100 degrees instead of at or over 100, Cronce explained. Still, the Weather Service urges people to stay hydrated, limit time outside and take other precautions to prevent heat-related illness.

Showers and thunderstorms are possible between 7 p.m. and midnight, with chances peaking at 62% around 9 p.m. Some storms could be severe, Cronce said, with damaging winds being the main threat.

Heavy rain, hail and even tornadoes are possible, Cronce added. The risk for severe storms is more likely near the Illinois border. Brief, heavy downpours are likely but shouldn't stay over single areas for extended periods.

The hot weather should subside by Tuesday after a cold front moves in overnight, Cronce said.

— Claire Reid

What time is the RNC? Here's the Republican National Convention schedule, events for Monday

The first official session of the convention starts at 12:35 p.m. and runs until 4:45 p.m. A second official session will follow at 5:45 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m.

However, the day is littered with events before and after the official sessions.

The events kick off at 8 a.m., with The Heritage Foundation’s policy-centric event called the Heritage Policy Fest: Fighting for America’s Future and state delegation breakfasts throughout the early morning. Other events include things like a screening of "Reagan," the 2024 Dennis Quaid-led biopic of the former president.

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.

The City Channel will broadcast the Republican National Convention beginning at 6 p.m. Monday. It'll air 24/7 and end at midnight Friday. Viewers can watch via Spectrum Cable on Channel 25 as well as on the “Livestream 1” feed.

Other coverage will be available through Spectrum News and Fox News Media.

The official convention watch party takes place each day at the Drink Wisconsinbly Pub, 320 W. Highland Ave., across from Fiserv Forum.

Throughout the week, guests are invited to attend official sessions at the convention venues; group receptions; groups like Moms for Liberty, the American Jewish Committee and the European Union will host events; and there will be more movie screenings, too.

Many events require tickets or registration and more information can be found here.

— David Clarey

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson strikes tone of unity

In a briefing outside City Hall early Monday morning, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he would avoid focusing on political differences in light of the attempted assassination of Trump.

Johnson, a vocal supporter of President Joe Biden’s re-election bid, instead struck a tone of unity.

“While Democrats and Republicans differ substantially on how we get there, the fact of the matter is … that we all want people of this country to succeed,” he said. “We want families in Milwaukee to have the opportunity to thrive. We want financial stability. We want peace, we want growth, we want health for citizens here, across our state and across our country.”

Johnson also said he thought Biden was “showcasing leadership” in the wake of the attack on Trump by pausing political ads and events.

He also acknowledged the presidential election rematch between Trump and Biden in November.

“Although the president may not be engaging in political activity in this specific moment in light of what’s happened, I’ve got no doubt that those things will continue,” Johnson said. “Obviously, the Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago next month and the president will have the opportunity to showcase the difference between his policies, what he’s done, what he intends to do for the United States and its people in the future.”

He said he was looking forward to serving as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention and working to ensure Biden wins a second term in November.

Johnson said he felt “great” about having the RNC in the city, saying he wanted the event to serve as a stepping stone toward further growth.

— Alison Dirr

RNC security plan 'strengthened,' Secret Service says

The Secret Service has "strengthened" its security plan in the wake of Saturday’s attempted assassination of Trump, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said in a statement Monday morning.

“I am confident in the security plan our Secret Service RNC coordinator and our partners have put in place, which we have reviewed and strengthened in the wake of Saturday’s shooting,” Cheatle’s statement said.

“In addition to the additional security enhancements we provided former President Trump's detail in June, we have also implemented changes to his security detail since Saturday to ensure his continued protection for the convention and the remainder of the campaign.”

The statement comes a day after the Secret Service’s RNC coordinator, Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, said the agency was “not anticipating any changes to our operational security plans.”

In Monday’s statement, Cheatle said the security plans for events like the RNC are “designed to be flexible.”“As the conventions progress, and in accordance with the direction of the President, the Secret Service will continuously adapt our operations as necessary in order to ensure the highest level of safety and security for convention attendees, volunteers and the City of Milwaukee,” she said.

The Secret Service has come under intense scrutiny after a gunman was able to shoot and injure Trump in the right ear during a campaign rally Saturday in Pennsylvania from a nearby rooftop. One man, Corey Comperatore, was killed and two people were injured, and Secret Service snipers killed the gunman, identified by the FBI as Thomas Matthew Crooks.

— Sarah Volpenhein

Trump will appear at the convention on Monday

Former President Donald Trump will make an appearance Monday at the Republican National Convention, said RNC committee member David Bossie in an interview with WISN-TV (Channel 12).

Trump has yet to name his vice presidential pick. Asked whether a running mate would join Trump on stage Monday, Bossie said: "I don't get ahead of him, but that's — the plan is, it's imminent, for certain."

Trump’s motorcade arrived Sunday night at the Pfister Hotel, where many expect he'll be staying.

Secret Service agents lined the perimeter and eyed the surrounding rooftops as dozens of SUVs pulled up to the storied hotel.

Trump, however, could not be spotted exiting his vehicle. A tent was waiting outside the entrance, and security quickly pulled the curtains shut.

— Genevieve Redsten

Coalition to March on the RNC 2024 will continue as planned Monday

The Coalition to March on the RNC held a press conference Sunday afternoon to share updates on their planned march route Monday.

On Friday, organizers shared a revised route plan and said they had reached a “handshake agreement” with the Milwaukee Police Department and the city attorney’s office, though city officials didn't confirm the agreement.

Omar Flores, the coalition’s co-chair, said the group reconfirmed the route with the city Saturday night.

The group said Sunday that a representative from the city attorney’s office would join the route “to ensure that there’s no problems.”

The route is separate from the city’s designated parade route.

Flores said the attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump does not change their messaging. Asked multiple times by reporters if the group condemned the shooting, Flores repeated “it has nothing to do with us.”

The coalition will hold a press conference 10 a.m. Monday, followed by a rally at 11 a.m. and a march at noon. The group currently only plans to march Monday.

— Hope Karnopp

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.

— Claire Reid

More: What Milwaukeeans need to know about the RNC, including road closures, parking, venues and more

How will the RNC affect public transportation?

Multiple Milwaukee County Transit System bus routes will be disrupted or follow detours until Friday, including the East-West Bus Rapid Transit CONNECT 1. There will also be disruptions to the County's paratransit service, Transit Plus, for riders with disabilities.

Bublr Bikes, Milwaukee's bikeshare system, will shut down seven of its stations until Friday. The stations are all located downtown in and around the security perimeter.

Milwaukee's Hop streetcar will run on a normal schedule from 5 a.m. to midnight and arrive every 15 minutes.

— Claire Reid

When does the RNC start? When is the Republican National Convention?

The RNC begins Monday, July 15.

How long does the RNC last? What are the RNC convention dates?

The convention runs four days, from Monday, July 15 through Thursday, July 18.

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.

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.

— 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:

• What to know about Fiserv Forum

• What to know about UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena

• What to know about the Baird Center

— 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.

— 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.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: RNC 2024 convention updates in Milwaukee: Trump makes appearance