Former President Donald Trump was greeted with cheers and congratulations as he arrived at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday, his first public appearance since an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.
The former president had a bandage wrapped around his right ear, but otherwise appeared to be in good spirits.
As he entered the stadium, the crowd cheered and roared, repeatedly chanting, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” as the former president waved to the audience.
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump greets Republican Vice Presidential nominee J.D. Vance during the first day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., July 15, 2024.
Andrew Kelly | Reuters
Seated in the VIP box next to Trump were his newly chosen vice presidential nominee, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance; his close ally, conservative talk show host Tucker Carlson; Florida Rep. Byron Donald; House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican; and Silicon Valley venture capitalist David Sachs.
Former first lady Melania Trump and Trump’s daughter and former White House adviser Ivanka Trump were not with the rest of the family. Neither woman has been prominently involved in campaigning this election cycle.
On Monday morning, Trump officially secured the 1,215 delegates needed to become the Republican nominee.
The rally comes just two days after an assassination attempt at Trump’s rally on Saturday left one attendee dead and two others critically injured. The alleged gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot and killed shortly after opening fire.
Former President Donald Trump attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The Republican National Convention schedule is expected to remain relatively unchanged, but the assassination attempt has heightened the emotional energy of a convention that was expected to be fueled by Trump’s propaganda.
The first day of the convention featured speakers including former running mate candidates Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, rapper Amber Rose, Sachs, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speaks on the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., July 15, 2024.
Fresh Mike | Reuters
Teamsters Union President Sean O’Brien gave the final speech of the night, noting that he was the first Teamster to speak at the Republican National Convention. He said he knew his presence was a controversial move.
“Anti-union groups have called on the president to withdraw his invitation. The left has called me a traitor,” O’Brien said. “I’m not interested in being criticized.”
Sean O’Brien, president and CEO of the International Driver’s License Association, speaks during the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 15, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images
More than 80 of Trump’s closest allies, big donors and other lawmakers are expected to speak at the convention this week. Milwaukee is expecting about 50,000 attendees.
Here’s a full list of Monday night’s featured speakers:
- Amber Rose
- David Sachs
- Charlie Kirk (Founder, Turning Point USA)
- Bob Unanue (Goya Foods CEO)
- Sean O’Brien (President, International Drivers’ Association)
- North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson
- Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson
- Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene
- Texas Representative Wesley Hunt
- Michigan Representative John James
- Alabama Senator Katie Britt
- South Carolina Senator Tim Scott
- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin
- South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem
- Florida Rep. Byron Donalds
- Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn
- Sarah Workman
- Vanessa Pawura
- Mark Ross
- benjamin joseph
- Linda Ovens
