RNC complete coverage: Trump speech, more from full week in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE - Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican nominee for president, took the RNC stage Thursday night to deliver his first public remarks following Saturday's attempted assassination.

Trump's speech was the finale to a week highlighted by big announcements and speakers – but dotted with headline-grabbing law enforcement activity. Here are the top headlines and video from each day of the RNC.

Day 4: Thursday, July 18

One of the reasons leaders pushed so hard for Milwaukee to host the 2024 Republican National Convention was to give the city major exposure.

One man, visiting from Cocoa Beach, Florida, said Milwaukee marks his eighth RNC. Out of all the host cities, he said Milwaukee stands out because of the people – and the friendliness of residents in the city gave it a welcome and energetic feel.

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The welcome was not warm for all visitors, though. A Milwaukee teen has been criminally charged, accused of stealing a Trump campaign member's vehicle from the Pfister Hotel on Saturday, July 13.

Additional coverage

• Conventional Wisdom live: RNC Milwaukee Thursday, July 18
• Open Record live: RNC Milwaukee Thursday, July 18

There are about 4,000 police officers from all over the country providing security for the RNC, along with help from hundreds of private security guards. One Waukesha business owner oversees a staff of 200 men and women – the majority have law enforcement backgrounds, and they’re stationed at 71 locations.

More RNC Day 4 coverage

• RNC 2024: Trump accepts Republican nomination in Milwaukee
• RNC 2024: Undecided Wisconsin voters key heading into election

Watch Day 4 extras

Dana White introduces Trump

Melania Trump

Eric Trump

Hulk Hogan

Wisconsin delegation dons cheeseheads

Analysis: How did Trump do?

Day 3: Wednesday, July 17

JD Vance – Donald Trump's pick for vice president – took the stage Wednesday night to deliver his first speech and accept the nomination.

Wednesday's theme for the convention was "Make America Strong Once Again," with a spotlight on foreign policy. 

A consistent presence throughout the convention, law enforcement remained active not just on land and the Milwaukee River – but in the air. 

A NORAD F-35 aircraft responded on Wednesday to a temporary flight restriction violation southwest of Milwaukee. Radar data picked up a track of interest that was not in communication with Air Traffic Control inside the restricted airspace.

During the event, the F-35 aircraft flew at 4,400 feet – and may have been visible from the ground.

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There was a fast turnaround after Vance became Trump's running mate. "Trump-Vance" signs can be seen all over Fiserv Forum – and they are Wisconsin-made.

Burton & Mayer, a printing company in Menomonee Falls, got the call for the convention, and printed about 80,000 signs, with 28 different versions for the RNC. The company also printed the platform booklet. 

Additional coverage

• Conventional Wisdom live: RNC Milwaukee Wednesday, July 17
• Open Record live: RNC Milwaukee Wednesday, July 17

Many Milwaukee restaurants and shops said they were promised a busy week of the RNC, but some said it has been anything but. Bars are able to stay open until 4 a.m. throughout the convention, but few have been busy. 

Meanwhile, Visit Milwaukee said other businesses have seen a boom so far this week. The owners of the New Fashioned say it’s equivalent to five Milwaukee Bucks games every day.

More RNC Day 3 coverage

• Fatal shooting by Ohio officers; Milwaukee police assignment changes
• Milwaukee man with AK-47 pistol arrested near RNC security zone, charged
• RNC 2024: MFD HAZMAT team keeps attendees safe with robotic dog
• RNC 2024 impact on Waukesha County Fair, a 'nonpartisan' event
• RNC Milwaukee; downtown shops see ups, downs in business
• RNC Milwaukee; importance of youth vote event held

Watch Day 3 extras

Wisconsin World War II Veteran William Pekrul

Usha Vance

Kai Trump

Donald Trump Jr.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson

Donald Trump Jr. on father's speech

Day 2: Tuesday, July 16

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said Tuesday's officer-involved shooting happened around 1:10 p.m. There were 13 uniformed Columbus police officers assigned to a bicycle patrol in an assigned zone where it took place.

Norman said the man who was killed, since identified as Samuel Sharpe, had a knife in each hand and was in an altercation with another unarmed person. Several officers fired their guns – subsequently striking him and killing him.

Designated protest zones were quiet on the second day of the RNC. The city of Milwaukee said more than 100 groups had signed up to speak. Some groups spoke at Haymarket Square, but in the other protest zone, Zeidler Union Square, no one had shown up to speak, despite signing up to do so.

Outside of the security perimeter and either designated protest zone, MPD did respond to an incident that appears to have involved a protest group and U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin).

The congressman and the protest group CODEPINK provided conflicting accounts of what exactly took place outside the Pfister Hotel. MPD said it arrested a 24-year-old woman for assault.

Additional coverage

• Conventional Wisdom live: RNC Milwaukee Tuesday, July 16
• Open Record live: RNC Milwaukee Tuesday, July 16

With Donald Trump and JD Vance now formally nominated to the GOP ticket, voters talked to FOX6 about the picks.

FOX6 spoke with about a dozen Waukesha County voters on Tuesday – both on and off camera – most of whom said they do not know enough about Vance to form an opinion of him. But they said his addition to the Trump ticket makes no difference. Everyone said they already have their minds made up for who they are voting for in November. 

Delegates had another packed day of programs and events, one of which honored Black delegates and alternates. FOX6's Mary Stoker Smith spoke 1-on-1 with U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina).

The Black delegates who talked with FOX6 said they back Donald Trump, but as our crew went around Milwaukee, it found many Black voters who do not in support of the former president. 

More RNC Day 2 coverage

• Milwaukee choir performs RNC national anthem: 'Support and gratitude'
• Milwaukee police arrest man wearing ski mask, carrying concealed weapon

Watch Day 2 extras

MPD update on officer-involved shooting

Day 1: Monday, July 15 

The former president's first public appearance since Saturday's assassination attempt in Pennsylvania came with raucous applause from convention attendees.

Trump had a bandage covering his right ear as he entered the arena. He did not address the crowd directly, but could be seen apparently chanting "USA" before taking a seat.

Trump selected Vance, the Ohio Senator, on the convention's opening day; he made the announcement on Truth Social. The other frontrunners for Trump's vice president were Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota.

On the roads leading to the convention site, it was hardly "business as usual" for those living in and around the security zone on Monday. There were long lines of buses and shuttles, and traffic was backed up for blocks in some places.

The U.S. Secret Service began its vehicle screening checkpoints at 2 a.m. Monday morning, which caused some of those delays. As they popped hoods and trunks and used K-9s to inspect incoming vehicles, snipers were also seen positioned on top of Fiserv Forum and nearby venues.

Additional coverage

• Conventional Wisdom live: RNC Milwaukee Monday, July 15
• Open Record live: RNC Milwaukee Monday, July 15

The Coalition to March on the Republican National Convention rallied and marched in downtown Milwaukee – thousands of people were involved in the demonstration. The route didn’t take protesters directly into the high security zone, but they did go near it. 

There was a small group of counterprotesters in Red Arrow Park during the rally, supporting Trump and his policies.

More RNC Day 1 coverage

• Project 2025; RNC brings supporters to talk controversial initiative
• RNC 2024: Wisconsin delegates welcome visitors to Milwaukee
• Milwaukee businesses disappointed, hopeful after RNC opening day

Watch RNC Day 1 extras

Analysis: Trump picks Vance for VP

Analysis: Trump moving ahead from assassination attempt

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin)

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina)

RNC FAQs

• RNC Milwaukee security: Perimeter, restricted items and more to know
• RNC Milwaukee: Street closures, parking changes and more to know
• More FOX6 coverage of the 2024 RNC

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