Trump arrives in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention
![Trump arrives in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention](https://news7g.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bde297c0-3f1d-11ef-96a8-e710c6bfc866-780x470.jpg)
Via Ana Faguy, BBC News, Washington
![Getty Images building where the RNC took place](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5087/live/bde297c0-3f1d-11ef-96a8-e710c6bfc866.jpg.webp)
Former US President Donald Trump has arrived in Wisconsin to attend the Republican National Convention, a day after surviving an assassination attempt.
The party convention in Milwaukee is still going ahead as planned despite a shooting Saturday night at a rally in Pennsylvania, in which Trump was shot in the ear.
Trump tweeted that he had considered postponing his trip by two days, “but just decided that I cannot allow a ‘shooter’ or potential assassin to cause a change in schedule or anything else.”
The attack on Trump has brought renewed attention to the safety and security of the event, which begins Monday at the arena that is home to the NBA basketball team Milwaukee Bucks.
But Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the RNC coordinator for the U.S. Secret Service, said at a Sunday afternoon press conference in Milwaukee that there would be no changes to the security plan.
Around 50,000 people are expected to attend the four-day festival packed with political and policy action as the party presents its case to voters ahead of November’s general election.
What is the Republican National Convention?
Every four years, each major U.S. party holds a convention to formally select its presidential candidate and prepare for the final phase of campaigning.
The conventions feature high-profile speakers as well as prime-time speeches from the presidential candidates themselves.
During the convention, delegates from each state pledge their support for the candidate of their choice and adopt an agenda.
Trump’s official nomination was a formality as he won 2,265 delegates in the primary, enough to secure the nomination.
The Democratic Party will hold its convention next month in Chicago.
![Getty Images Rapper and influencer Amber Rose is seen on stage at the Fiserv Forum during preparations for the Republican National Convention (RNC) on July 14.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/93dc/live/539f8b80-424b-11ef-96a8-e710c6bfc866.jpg.webp)
Who is on the speaker list?
Trump is not expected to speak until Thursday evening.
One of the most important moments of the convention will be when he announces his vice presidential nominee.
But as the dust settles after the assassination, it remains unclear when Trump will announce his vice presidential pick or when he or she will deliver a speech.
Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s son, is scheduled to speak on Wednesday.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, one of Trump’s fiercest rivals in the Republican primary, was initially expected to not attend the RNC.
But after the assassination, it was reported that she not only attended but also spoke at the conference.
Key Republican figures Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia congresswoman, and Kari Lake, an Arizona Republican, are also expected to speak.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Teamsters union general manager Sean O’Brien are also among the expected speakers.
RNC co-chair Lara Trump, the former president’s daughter-in-law, said celebrities are also among this year’s speakers.
Amber Rose, model, reality TV star and ex-girlfriend of Kanye West, is expected to address the crowd.
But key former Republicans, such as George W Bush, Mike Pence and Mitt Romney, were not on the guest list.
Will Melania Trump attend the RNC?
According to US media, former First Lady Melania Trump, who rarely appears in public, will attend the conference.
Mrs. Trump did not attend the June 27 debate between President Joe Biden and Trump. She also did not attend her husband’s hush money trial earlier this year.
While the former first lady has held Republican fundraisers over the past year, this will be her first major appearance this election cycle.
![Getty Images Melania Trump](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1cf3/live/ff82f3c0-424a-11ef-96a8-e710c6bfc866.jpg.webp)
What’s on the RNC agenda?
The theme for Monday will be “Make America Wealthy Again,” Tuesday will be “Make America Safe Again,” Wednesday will be “Make America Strong Again,” and Thursday will be “Make America Great Again.”
This year’s agenda is 16 pages long.
Several topics from Project 2025, a longer proposal from the research group, are also likely to be brought up during the conference.
Project 2025 — which Trump has distanced himself from — calls for expanding presidential powers, eliminating thousands of civil service positions, cutting taxes and dissolving the Department of Education.
![Getty Images RNC](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/be23/live/11ba80e0-4088-11ef-b74c-bb483a802c97.jpg.webp)
Are there any protests planned?
A rally called the March on the RNC is scheduled for noon local time on Monday.
Organizers said they expected 5,000 people to take part, with support from 125 freedom groups across the country.
“Join us to fight against the racist and reactionary Republican agenda; stand with Palestine; defend women’s, LGBTQ, and reproductive rights; protect and expand immigrant rights; and fight for peace, justice, and equality,” Omar Flores, co-chair of the coalition, said Friday.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson says the city will make public safety a top priority this week.
“National Special Security Event is the highest designation you can receive for a security event of this size and magnitude in the United States,” said Mayor Johnson.
How can I follow the RNC?
You can follow the latest news, including live pages, at bbc.com/news.
BBC World News and the BBC News Channel (available globally and in the UK) will be broadcasting Trump’s speech live on Thursday and will bring you reaction and analysis afterwards.
And you can also watch on RNC website.