JD Vance made it official Wednesday night when he accepted the Republican Party's nomination to become Vice President. He gave a highly anticipated speech in support of former President Donald Trump — who is expected to accept the Republican Party's Presidential nomination Thursday.
There were a slate of other speakers Wednesday night, ranging from Trump's grandaughter Kai to a 98-year-old World War II veteran.
As the Convention winds to a close, many businesses in the area are wondering where all the customers are. While businesses close to the heart of the convention saw plenty of revenue, those in other areas say they didn't see the turnout they expected. You can read the rest of Elaine Rojas-Castillo's story here.
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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:
9:31 p.m. — Former President Donald Trump accepts Presidential nomination
Former President Donald Trump took the stage to deliver his highly anticipated speech at the RNC. During the speech, he accepted the Republican Party’s Presidential nomination.
His speech lasted for over an hour and a half.
Among the many highlights of his speech were his praise for Milwaukee and his thanks to the city for hosting Republicans this year.
8:30 p.m. — Hulk Hogan endorses Trump
Retired pro wrestler Hulk Hogan voiced his full support for Trump. Hogan tore off his T-shirt to reveal a bright red 'Trump Vance 2024' tank top.
8:25 p.m. — Former President Donald Trump re-enter the arena
Trump returned to the family box with his children, including Ivanka and Don Jr., and many of his grandchildren.
Former first lady Melania Trump has been spotted in the arena but has not been spotted in the family box yet.
6:24 p.m. — Protesters gather to call for justice for D'vontaye Mitchell, Samuel Sharpe on final day of RNC
Dozens of protesters took to the streets Thursday to call for justice for D'vontaye Mitchell, and Samuel Sharpe.
Watch: Protesters take to the streets on the final day of RNC:
Mitchell died outside the downtown Hyatt Regency on June 30th after four employees pinned him to the ground for several minutes.
Sharpe was shot and killed on July 16 Tuesday by police officers from Columbus, Ohio, near 14th and Vliet just blocks away from the Republican National Convention.
Jenna Rae is following this story tonight for TMJ4.
6:02 p.m. — Final night of programming underway at RNC
The final night of speeches is underway at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
It will all conclude with Donald Trump's remarks, scheduled for 9 p.m. - you'll be able to watch them below,on TMJ4.com, or the TMJ4 streaming app.
Before Trump speaks, more famous GOP faces will pump up the crowd, including the co-founder and chair of ABC Supply Diane Hendricks, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Tucker Carlson, wrestler Hulk Hogan, Eric Trump, and UFC CEO Dana White.
Watch: Final night of RNC concludes with Trump remarks:
5:25 p.m. — Keepin' it cheesy: Wisconsin delegation to wear cheeseheads on final night of RNC
How does the Wisconsin GOP delegation share its state pride on the final night of the Republican National Convention? By wearing cheeseheads, of course.
Watch: Wisconsin delegate explains their "surprise" for Donald Trump:
"[Texas] had the [cowboy] hats, they were looking great, and we thought, 'well hey, what about us'?" Kathy Broghammer, part of the Wisconsin delegation said.
Broghammer told TMJ4's Charles Benson that the entire delegation would be sporting the cheeseheads Thursday night as a "surprise" for former President Donald Trump.
3:39 p.m. — Milwaukee County leaders casting their vote for public safety, immigration reform
Ohio Senator JD Vance closed out the third night of the Republican National Convention, introducing himself to the nation as the Party's Vice Presidential nominee in a highly anticipated speech.
Wisconsin delegates we spoke to say they were excited to learn more about the candidate and to learn how his background can help the Trump campaign.
Watch: Delegates sound off on how Vance will affect Trump's chances for president:
"I don't know a lot about him yet. That's why I'm really looking forward to his speech," said Jeanie Moore, a first-time delegate from Wood County, Wisconsin.
Other delegates we spoke to say they are hopeful that besides his age, Vance's Midwestern background will help the Trump campaign win pivotal states like Wisconsin.
Read more in Charles Benson's story here.
2:45 p.m. — Trump says he's rewritten his remarks
Republicans throughout the week in Milwaukee have suggested the combative former president take a gentler tone in light of the shooting and have suggested the crisis provides a chance to de-escalate the divisive political rhetoric that has marked the 2024 campaign.
Trump told the Washington Examiner that he had rewritten his acceptance speech in the wake of the Saturday shooting, emphasizing a call for national unity.
Watch: Thursday's speech will be Trump's first major remarks since assassination attempt:
“The speech I was going to give on Thursday was going to be a humdinger,” he said. “Had this not happened, this would’ve been one of the most incredible speeches,” aimed mostly at the policies of President Joe Biden.
“Honestly, it’s going to be a whole different speech now," he said.
Any such dialing down by Trump will come before a delegation, many of whom have been moved by Trump's own defiant words in the grasp of U.S. Secret Service agents Saturday, and have sparked their echo in the form of chants of “fight, fight, fight.”
“I do believe that after going through that his message will be better, and I do think he will appeal to our better emotions,” Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Lawrence Tabas said. “He has an enormous compassion and empathy that doesn't always come through."
1:50 p.m. — Lester Holt joins TMJ4 for rapid fire questions:
Morning person or night owl?
Cats or dogs?
Packers or Bears?
NBC News anchor Lester Holt answered all of these questions and more!
Holt is in Milwaukee this week covering the Republican National Convention. But, he was kind enough to stop the TMJ4 studios to chat with our staff and answer our questions about his incredible journalism career.
He was also a good sport — and answered some rapid-fire questions from TMJ4 anchors Susan Kim and Steve Chamraz.
See how Holt answered here:
1:10 p.m. — Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley speaks one-on-one with TMJ4's Brendyn Jones
All week, Milwaukee County Executive has been a part of the daily Democratic Party, Biden-Harris press conference. TMJ4's Brendyn Jones has attended that briefing every morning of the Convention.
This morning, Brendyn got some one-on-one time with Crowley. One of the things they talked about was the age of both Presidential candidates.
Watch what Crowley had to say on that topic:
“Both candidates are pretty old, let’s not act like Donald Trump is so many years younger," Crowley said. "But in reality, one has old ideas, one has ideas to the future.”
The pair also talked about what the RNC might mean for the future of Milwaukee:
“So being able to use this as our Final Four as our Superbowl to be able to show the entire world what we have to offer, and that this is a great place for them. That is the opportunity we’re taking advantage of," Crowley said.
He and Mayor Cavalier Johnson have both expressed their interest in leveraging the success of the RNC in attracting other major events to the city.
12:40 p.m. — Hispanic Leadership Coalition working to get more Hispanic people to the polls:
On the final day of the RNC, organizations across the city are working to inspire different groups to get out and vote, including the Hispanic Leadership Coalition.
TMJ4's Elaine Rojas-Castillo stopped by the Iron Horse Hotel for a Coalition event and chatted with the director, Jorge Martinez.
"The America First Policy Institute, which is the entity that created the Hispanic Leadership Coalition... they believe and we believe that engagement with the Hispanic commmunity is one of the key priorities not just for the organization but for the America First movement," Martinez said. "To highlight the incredible support and the growth in support from the Hispanic Community, we wanted to honor Hispanic and Latino leaders that are here in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention."
Watch Elaine's full interview with Martinez:
"This is really truly an event to have fun and meet one another and talk about the effort that we've been doing and celebrate all the things that we've been doing for the Hispanic community," Martinez continued.
Elaine will have more from Martinez this afternoon, as well as thoughts from a delegate who came all the way from Texas to help get voters fired up.
12:27 p.m. — Delegates enjoy one last breakfast together on the last day of the RNC:
Former President Donald Trump's speech is sparking excitment for Wisconsin delegates.
Another jam packed day is underway. TMJ4's Sydni Eure spoke with Wisconsin delegates who say there are a lot of events and parties to look forward to today, but obviously Trump's speech will be the showstopper for them.
"I mean the energy in the room is just going to be incredible," says Barbara Finger from Oconto.
Carl Toepel from Sheboygan County says he's looking forward to "an enthused and thankful President Trump. That' he's with us. That he can promote Make America Great Again under God's providence."
Watch: Delegates discuss the final theme on the last day of the RNC.
Delegates will start getting into place at Fiserv Forum around 5:30 p.m.
12:02 p.m. — The final day of the RNC will culminate with former President Trump's big speech
All week, the RNC has been leading up to this - former President Trump's speech accepting his party's nomination for president on the floor of Fiserv Forum.
Trump's remarks are scheduled for 9 p.m., and you'll be able to watch them on TMJ4.com or the TMJ4 streaming app.
Before Trump speaks, more famous GOP faces will pump up the crowd, including the co-founder and chair of ABC Supply Diane Hendricks, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Tucker Carlson, wrestler Hulk Hogan, Eric Trump, and UFC CEO Dana White.
8:18 a.m. — Symone Woolridge sits down with Today anchor Savannah Guthrie:
In February, just days before the release of her book 'Mostly What God Does,' Symone Woolridge spoke with Today anchor Savannah Guthrie.
On Wednesday, the pair got a chance to talk again, as Savannah has been in Milwaukee covering the Republican National Convention.
In their one-on-one interview, Symone and Savannah talked about everything that has transpired at the convention so far, the upcoming Paris Olympics and a bit of her personal life.
Watch a snippet of their interview here:
8:05 a.m. — Meet the man who will drop thousands of balloons after Trump's speech:
Treb Heining learned how to tie balloons quickly and started his business in the 1970s. Fast forward to now, where he's working his 10th Republican National Convention. He's also done five Democratic National Conventions.
For these events — as a former band kid himself — Heining says he usually goes to a high school program, preferably a local school band, to ask if they would like to be a part of the process of inflating thousands of balloons.
He then returns the favor and writes a check for their program.
Watch: Treb Heining recruits local kids to help with balloon drop.
He says the kids he invited to help him at the Convention are "Milwaukee Ambassadors." They use a valve to inflate the foil and mainly latex balloons, tie them, and then they're tossed in a funnel that fills a net.
"As we get closer and closer my dad used to say it gets hard to breathe. I get nervous about making sure that it goes right, that we get all the people in the right places and it goes right. But it's very exciting.. You're standing up there and President Trump starts to speak. I never really hear the speech that much until after," Treb says. "When I watch the tapes and everything I'm just like, 'Okay. I know I have a copy of the speech in front of me so I know I have the time.' I get the standby cue. 'OK, everybody ready? Standby! Get ready for cue one and seven!' And then I get it from Phil — 'Ok, Treb. Let's go!' And then you go through the pace and then you're watching and then you go through the next cue and you're watching and by the time I'm done you can bring out my suit."
Check out Symone's full story here.
7:46 a.m. — Joe St. George joins TM4 Today for the last day of the RNC:
Joe St. George joined TMJ4 Today to talk about the last day of the RNC. Former President Donald Trump is expected to give a speech after accepting the Republican Party's nomination. Joe says Trump has rewritten that speech, and we'll have to wait and see what the tone is — it originally included plenty of mentions of unity.
Joe also broke down JD Vance's speech on Wednesday night. He says it was an opportunity for Vance to introduce himself to the country. There's also plenty of discussion over the future of the Republican party, considering Trump cannot run for a third term.
Another topic getting the nation talking is President Joe Biden's COVID diagnosis. Joe broke down calls for Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee.
Watch the full discussion below:
6:50 a.m — Mayor Cavalier Johnson gives his final morning briefing during the Republican National Convention:
During his final press briefing during the Republican National Convention, Mayor Cavalier Johnson emphasized how successful Milwaukee has been in hosting the RNC. He says it shows the city can handle big events, and Johnson says he wants to see more come Milwaukee's way in the future.
Johnson also addressed a late night police shooting that left a man hospitalized. When police arrived at the scene near Sherman and Capitol, they say a 22-year-old man fired a gun at people inside the convenience store and at officers. Investigators say officers then fired back.
Johnson says the shooting is unrelated to the Convention and said incidents like it are "not a common occurrence" in the city.
Watch his full press briefing here:
6:40 a.m. — Theme for final day of RNC is 'Make America Great Once Again':
TMJ4's Sydni Eure spoke with several delegates who say former President Donald Trump is the perfect person to wrap up the final theme for the week and that everything is falling into place for the big finale.
Many of those delegates told Sydni seeing Trump in person and walking around Fiserv is enough, but to know that they'll hear from him tonight made a lot of people emotional.
They say it's an honor to hear from the man holding the 'Make America Great Once Again' theme together.
Watch Sydni's interviews with those delegates here:
See all of TMJ4's Republican National Convention coverage here.
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