The Republican National Convention's second day floor session had a lot of GOP star power. We saw former Presidential candidate Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis voicing their support of the Republican nominee for President, Donald Trump. There were a few names local voters might recognize — like US Senate Candidate for Wisconsin, Eric Hovde.
Some of the speakers — like Haley — have spoken out against Trump in the past. Karen Wyld, a delegate from South Carolina, said Tuesday that Republicans like JD Vance and Haley who once opposed him but now support Trump are “reading the room.”
There were activities for non-delegates too. Right in the heart of the RNC Complex, Convention Fest was a chance for local business owners to share their talents to a global audience. Check out the full story here.
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Day three promises to culminate in a big primetime speech from VP nominee JD Vance. He's expected to speak at 9:30 p.m.
Check back often throughout the day on this live blog for the latest updates from our many crews covering the RNC in downtown Milwaukee.
Live Updates:
9:45 p.m. — VP nominee JD Vance voices support for Trump, accepts VP nomination
Vance officially accepted the nomination to become vice president.
9:12 p.m. — Trump's Grandaughter Kai Trump speaks in support of her grandfather
Trump's eldest granddaughter Kai Madison Trump, took the stage in support of her grandfather.
9:00 p.m. — World War II veteran William Pekrul, 98 addressed the crowd and voiced his support of Trump.
Pekrul said that he would re-enlist today and storm any beach his country needed him to.
TMJ4’s Charles Benson interviewed Pekrul. You can watch their interview below.
7:55 p.m. — Former President Donald Trump arrives
Former President Donald Trump arrived at the Republican National Convention.
7:40 p.m. — Kellyanne Conway highlights the women from Trump’s administration
Conway, who worked in the Trump White House, said in her convention speech that Trump has a record of hiring women to important positions.
6:30 p.m. — Racine Scouts of America Troop leads the Presentation of Colors during RNC on Wednesday night
A local Scouts of America Troop from Racine is taking the main stage Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Troop 222 led the presentation of colors. The young men are excited to see youth voices highlighted and showcased during the event, which is drawing national and international attention to the area.
Watch: Scouts excited, proud to lead Presentation of Colors at RNC:
"Totally excited for it. It's going to be a great time," said Sean Barsch. He serves as Senior Patrol Leader, helping to lead his fellow troops within the organization. "I love my country a lot. I love it enough to carry the American Flag tonight."
The troop tells TMJ4's Ryan Jenkins that they had just over a week to prepare for the big night.
Read more on these proud local scouts in Ryan Jenkins' story.
5:57 p.m. — Day 3 floor session now underway
The floor session for Day 3 of the RNC is now underway, with speakers like Rep. Matt Gaetz, Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, former Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump Jr., and Usha Chilukuri Vance, JD Vance’s wife, all in the lineup.
The evening will conclude with JD Vance's first public remarks since becoming Donald Trump's nominee for vice president. That's scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
You can watch the entire floor session below:
5:39 p.m. — Milwaukee police chief defends use of outside law enforcement at RNC
The role of police from outside Milwaukee has been under scrutiny after officers from Columbus, Ohio, shot and killed a man wielding two knives near the convention.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman told The Associated Press today, a day after the shooting, that the officers took it upon themselves to intervene in an “active imminent threat situation.” He says it should restore people’s faith that law enforcement has the community’s back, no matter where they are from.
Watch: St. Ben's reiterates offer of resources for unhoused people after police shooting:
The shooting angered area residents because the police were from elsewhere. It’s also reignited activists’ concerns about police use of deadly force.
5:18 p.m. — Milwaukee Fire Department introduces robotic dog to help at RNC
Say Hello to Spot! It’s in town for RNC.
Watch: Introducing Spot, the robotic dog:
The Milwaukee Fire Department’s HAZMAT team is working with the robotic dog in case of a potentially life-threatening situation at the RNC.
4:34 p.m. — Take a look inside media row at Panther Arena
Wondering what media row inside Panther Arena looks like?
Susan Kim brings you this virtual tour! It's a hub for dozens of media outlets from all over the world at the RNC, including TMJ4 and Scripps News.
Watch: Susan Kim shows you inside media row:
Panther Arena is one of three primary venues being used for the RNC - the other two being Fiserv Forum and the Baird Center.
3:41 p.m. — Trump campaign won't commit to VP debates before DNC
In a statement, the Trump campaign has said it won't commit to a Vice Presidential debate before August's Democratic National Convention.
“We don’t know who the Democrat nominee for Vice President is going to be, so we can’t lock in a date before their convention. To do so would be unfair to Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, Gretchen Whitmer, or whoever Kamala Harris picks as her running mate," Trump campaign aide Brian Hughes said.
The statement comes just hours after California Congressman Adam Schiff became the most high-profile Democrat yet to call for President Biden to step aside in the race.
3:27 p.m. — Trump appears at Fiserv Forum for technical walkthrough
Former President Donald Trump appeared inside Fiserv Forum briefly Wednesday for a technical walkthrough ahead of his big speech at the RNC Thursday night. His ear is still bandaged after Saturday's assassination attempt.
Watch: Trump appears in Fiserv Forum Wednesday:
Tonight's RNC lineup concludes with VP nominee JD Vance speaking in primetime.
2:25 p.m. — Day three speakers to culminate in speech from VP nominee JD Vance
Day three of the RNC is all leading up to the nation’s primetime introduction to Ohio Sen. JD Vance, Donald Trump’s pick for vice president.
Before Vance speaks, a cadre of GOP All-Stars will pump up the crowd.
We’re expected to hear from Rep. Matt Gaetz, Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, former Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump Jr., and Usha Chilukuri Vance, JD Vance’s wife.
You can watch the evening floor session on TMJ4.com and the TMJ4 streaming app beginning at 6 p.m.
Vance’s remarks are expected to begin at 9:30 p.m.
12:55 p.m. — Some businesses doing better than other during RNC:
When it was announced that the RNC would be coming to Milwaukee, many business owners hoped to see a boom of customers. That's not been the case for all of them.
"I've heard some restaurants and businesses downtown were expecting a little bit more," says Milwaukee's Mayor Cavalier Johnson. "The same is true of some businesses and neighborhoods near downtown. I encourage folks in our region to come downtown and enjoy everything downtown and the nearby neighborhood offers."
Despite those comments, Johnson says millions of dollars have been spent in the city this week.
TMJ4's Elaine Rojas Castillo spoke to one of those business owners who hasn't seen the expected turnout. Tydus Hayes with Pat's Rib Place in Milwaukee's Public Market says there hasn't been as much of a "trickle down" with customers as he'd hoped.
Watch: Owner of Pat's Ribs Place interviews with Elaine Rojas-Castillo
"I've been experiencing a lot of slow days since the RNC has started. A lot of problems, transportation-wise, as far as the people that were actually coming down here to grab some food," he said. "Today seems like the most influx day since before the RNC started."
"You mentioned this is unlike any other week in July you can remember, when can you remember this level of a change?" Elaine asked.
"Not since Covid has it been this slow and the Market... hopefully we're looking for a positive change soon," Tydus responded.
"How do you navigate something like this, knowing that just a few blocks away, a lot of business owners are saying they are feeling a boost?" Elaine continued.
"I wish we were included in that perimeter or at least could have had some food piped in to help out our small and local businesses over here," Tydus responded.
Tydus says he's taking things day by day, and gauging the crowd to determine his product and staffing needs. He has had to send employees home on some days.
"And some days I might have to add on if we keep getting increased business down here!" Tydus says.
Click here to see the rest of the story.
12:18 p.m. — Delegates gather for third breakfast of the Republican National Convention:
The schedule for the remaining portion of the Convention is sparking excitement for Wisconsin delegates and they shared that excitement at the third breakfast of the week-long event.
Delegates told TMJ4's Sydni Eure they're eagerly waiting to hear from VP nominee JD Vance. They say their pride in the Republican Party is through the roof, especially knowing former President Donald Trump will accept the Party's nomination for President tomorrow.
Watch: Delegates share their excitement for the rest of the Convention's agenda.
"I'm extremely exited," said Cindy Warner, the 2nd Vice Chair for Milwaukee County's Republican Party. "I believe that Senator Vance will bring a different type of energy into the party."
"I think this is a very exciting time for many of us who don't entirely know his entire backstory," added Hilario Deleon, the Chairman of Milwaukee County's Republican Party. "He really, from what I understand, comes from humble beginnings which I think many of us within the grass roots are very appreciative."
Session four kicks off at 5:45 p.m. at Fiserv Forum.
11:30 a.m. — Democratic Governor Tim Walz and Rep. Veronica Escobar speak out against Trump-Vance Ticket:
Major names in the Democratic Party spoke out against former President Donald Trump's policies while he was in office. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Texas Representative Veronica Escobar say voters should expect more of the same with the Trump-Vance ticket.
“The good thing is with the Republicans they don't have much division within their party, they bend the knee and they grovel to someone who told us that the election was stolen. Somebody who overturned Roe versus Wade, somebody who told us he didn't know anything about NATO as he puts all of our futures at risk and someone who won't address the biggest issues around climate change," Walz said. "But we get an opportunity in America in not too long of a binary choice between someone who cares deeply about the American public, who has policies that made a difference. Versus someone who made it very clear. Trump is for Trump, through his words he ever said that's exactly where it is."
Representative Escobar emphasized the rights lost by women during the Trump administration, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
“The Trump-Vance ticket does not care about women," Escobar said. "And we are here to sound the alarm about what's at stake in this November election, especially for women.”
Escobar and Walz were joined by a guest, Amanda Zurawski. Zurawski developed "catastrophic complications" while 18 weeks pregnant. Her doctor told Zurawski she would lose her baby and that they should terminate the pregnancy. However, Texas current abortion laws wouldn't allow it.
Zurawski had to continue with the pregancy while she got sicker and sicker. Eventually she says she went into septic shock and nearly died.
"Tragically, my story is not unique. I am one of many women in our country whose life has been put at risk because of Donald Trump and JD Vance's anti-reproductive freedom agenda. I know this because I've met them from Texas to Arizona, Idaho to Georgia. Women like me have been told that we're not sick enough to receive the care that we desperately need. We've been turned away from hospitals. We've been found collapsed on bathroom floors. We have been told to flee our state borders in the hope of receiving basic reproductive care. We have been robbed of our freedom. I'm just one of those women," Zurawski says. “Like most Americans, I believe that health care decisions block between a woman and her doctor. But if Donald Trump and JD Vance are elected they will make my devastating story, the stories I've heard across the country, the reality for far too many more American women."
11:06 a.m. — Former White House official Peter Navarro expected to speak at RNC, AP source says:
(AP) — Former White House official Peter Navarro was released Wednesday from prison and was expected to speak just hours later at the Republican National Convention, according to a person familiar with the schedule who spoke on condition of anonymity before its official release.
Navarro was released from custody after completing his four-month sentence for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to the federal Bureau of Prisons.
Navarro will be heading straight to Milwaukee to speak at the third night of the Republican National Convention.
He is scheduled to speak in the 6 p.m. hour.
8:27 a.m. — Ozaukee County color guard members get the experience of a lifetime:
On the opening night of the Republican National Convention, the Ozaukee County Sheriff's color guard had the privilege of presenting on the big stage.
“When you walked in there and the delegates were there and the spectators were there, you could feel the energy," remembered Sheriff Christy Knowles.
“It’s kind of like taking your kids to Disney, seeing that ‘woah' factor," said color guard Tim Nilsestuen, who's been on the team for about a decade. "Personally, that was my reaction."
Watch: Ozaukee County Sheriff's color guard performs at RNC.
He noted that his biggest stage previously was the Bucks stadium, but it's nowhere near comparable to the RNC.
“Unfortunately we do a lot of funerals for law enforcement officers," added Karsen Frame, a five-year color guard. "So it being a positive event was a nice change of pace.”
They weren't expecting the opportunity until last-minute — only two days notice, the team said, and got right to rehearsing.
Soon their nervous jitters turned to hyper-focus.
“You couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face, as a Sheriff and for the sheriff’s office and Ozaukee County. They represented us awesomely," Sheriff Knowles gushed.
Read Mikenzie's full story here.
7:50 a.m. — Candidate age is a big topic of conversation for younger voters:
"Senator JD Vance [is] the first young Republican who will be elected Vice President of these United States in almost 70 years," predicted Hayden Padgett, the chairman of the Young Republican National Federation, one of the first speakers on the second night of the convention.
Watch Charles' 1-on-1 with the Chairman of Young Republican National Federation:
Indeed, if elected, Vance – who turns 40 years old on August 2 – would become the third-youngest Vice President in American history (the youngest remains John C. Breckinridge, who was 36 when sworn into office under President James Buchanan in 1857, followed by Richard Nixon, who turned 40 just 11 days before he and President Dwight Eisenhower took the oath of office in 1953). In his speech, Padgett emphasized economic priorities for his generation, which he believes a Trump-Vance administration would be better able to address.
TMJ4's Charles Benson got to chat with Henry Pahlow, the national Vice Chair for the High School Democrats of America, who argues that the Biden-Harris administration is working to bring down costs for young people.
Watch Charles' 1-on-1 with the National Vice Chair of the High School Democrats of America:
"There are so many millions of Americans across the country who have had hundreds and thousands of dollars of debt canceled – billions of dollars cumulatively. And I really think that means a lot to young voters, especially as education becomes less and less accessible."
Read Charles' full report here.
7:10 a.m. — Joe St. George joins TMJ4 Today to talk about what to expect on day three of the RNC:
Deputy Political Director Joe St. George says Nikki Haley's speech in support of Donald Trump Tuesday night might be one of the more "consequential" events of the entire convention. Joe points out that Haley had a lot of support in key swing states, even after it became clear that Trump would be the Republican Presidential nominee. Her support of Trump could help swing on-the-fence voters.
Joe also talked about JD Vance's highly anticipated first speech after receiving the nomination for Vice President. Joe says Vance will "tell a story," to help introduce himself to people from outside of Ohio who may not know him.
Watch Joe and Symone's full conversation here:
7:00 a.m. — Some RNC vistors didn't have to travel very far at all.
The Republican National Convention has brought people from all over the country to Milwaukee, but not everyone had to travel very far.
TMJ4's Symone Woolridge met 84-year-old Bob Crowther while walking around the Plaza Tuesday. She spoke to him about his experience at the RNC so far and heard his description of the rally for former President Donald Trump last month in Racine.
Crowther says beside good food, Milwaukee has great people.
"Nice people, that I've seen. And the security is marvelous. I still say that incident is hard to imagine, what happened in Butler," said Crowther, in reference to the weekend assassination attempt against former President Trump.
Watch Symone's interview with him here:
6:45 a.m. — Mayor Cavalier Johnson delivers his daily remarks on the RNC:
Mayor Cavalier Johnson has given a daily press briefing on each morning of the RNC. On Wednesday morning, the main topic of conversation was the police shooting of a homeless man wielding a knife near 14th and Vliet in Milwaukee. The officers involved in the shooting were from Columbus, Ohio and were working the Convention.
Mayor Johnson emphasized that the situation was a tragic one and that the officers involved potentially saved another man's life, though he reiterated that he doesn't want to see any death.
Watch the full press conference here:
6:10 a.m. — Theme for day three of Republican National Convention is "Make America Strong Once Again."
TMJ4's Sydni Eure spoke to some delegates, who say they already feel a lot of strength within the Republican Party. They say former President Donald Trump and his family have displayeed great strength.
"We need somebody who's a fighter and... that incident that happened with him getting shot showed how tough he was while Biden is weak as they come," said Frank Gaba of Notre Dame, Indiana.
"American strength is American prosperity for all people for all races and all religions," added Kyle Stevenson, of Menomonee Falls.
Watch: Voters react to day three theme of "Make America Strong Once Again."
The theme for yesterday was "Make America Safe Again."
See all of TMJ4's Republican National Convention coverage here.
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