MILWAUKEE — The 2024 Republican National Convention ran from July 15 through July 18 at the Fiserv Forum, where former president Donald Trump officially accepted the party’s nomination for president. Alongside his own nomination, he announced Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, as his running mate on the campaign trail. Amongst a sea of red, white and blue, the spirit of American nationalism spread through the air as Republican delegates and guests chanted “USA” and “FIGHT” in solidarity with President Trump following an assassination attempt the Saturday before the convention. In Trump’s acceptance speech, he promised to reduce economic inflation, shared his plans for the largest mass deportation movement in U.S. history and making America great once again. Red and blue signs with phrases such as “STOP BIDEN’S BORDER BLOODBATH” were distributed as thousands of Republicans cheered in celebration of the idea of millions of undocumented immigrants being deported from the United States — something that is expected to surpass deportation numbers of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1954 campaign operation.
In an effort to show unity across the Republican Party, top Republican politicians spoke at the main stage endorsing the former president including Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz, Vivek Ramaswamy, Mike Johnson and Doug Burgum. The Sunday following the convention, President Joe Biden announced he would drop out of the race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.
Here are photographs capturing key moments from in and around the convention.
The red “Make America Great Again” hat has become a symbol of the modern day Republican Party. The hats were popular at Convention Fest, but even those donning them needed to get out of the sun, using the tents to hide in much-needed shade. (Noah Poser/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Elsie’s pies come in a variety of different flavors, and the seasonal pies of the summer are a big hit. During Convention Fest, some of the pies even took on a patriotic flare. (Noah Poser/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Religion has been a prevalent theme over the course of the Republican National Convention. Here, Convention Fest attendees pause to pray before going back to their respective activities. (Noah Poser/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Elsie Mae’s is a local sweet shop with a presence at farmers markets across Milwaukee and Chicago throughout the summer. Their seasonal pies, using locally sourced ingredients, are a hit in neighboring communities. (Noah Poser/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
While the Convention Fest had music and tents of all kinds, the food was the main draw. Those in attendance were treated to some of Wisconsin’s finest delicacies, and were able to hide in a rare bit of shade to enjoy them. (Noah Poser/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
The Trump Tractor is one of the more popular Convention Fest attractions, with guests and delegates alike stopping to take photos, and even selfies with the tractor, throughout the day. (Noah Poser/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Wisconsin native Catelyn Huckstep entertains guests milling around Convention Fest with her performance of a variety of musical hits. (Noah Poser/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Professional Wrestler Hulk Hogan yells “Let Trumpmania run wild, brother!” as he rips off his shirt. A red “Trump Vance 2024” tank is revealed underneath. (Sylvie Kirsch/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Kid Rock performs his 2000 track “American Bad Ass,” switching some of the lyrics to show his support of Donald Trump. The singer repeatedly shouted “Fight! Fight!” throughout the song in reference to Trump’s words moments after he survived an assassination attempt at his rally in Butler, Pa. on July 12th. (Sylvie Kirsch/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Donald Trump accepts the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential candidacy nomination. Trump wears a white bandage on his ear, a reminder of the assassination attempt less than a week before. (Sylvie Kirsch/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
A young Trump supporter stands between a crowd of delegates wearing the signature Make America Great Again hat. A handful of children were present throughout the convention. (Sylvie Kirsch/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Anne Fundner speaks before a sea of Texan cowboy hats about her 15-year-old son who died in 2022 after overdosing on fentanyl-laced opioids. The delegates blamed Biden’s border policies and the importation of illegal opioids into the United States for her son’s death. (Sylvie Kirsch/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley called for unity during her speech on the second night of the convention. Although Donald Trump’s main challenger during the Republican primaries and one of his harshest critics, Haley began her speech by telling the crowd “I’ll start by making one thing perfectly clear: Donald Trump has my strong endorsement, period.” (Sylvie Kirsch/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Wisconsin delegates wave “Back the Blue” signs during retired Las Vegas police officer Randy Sutton’s speech. Sutton, the founder and chairman of The Wounded Blue, was featured at the convention as one of the “everyday American” speakers. (Sylvie Kirsch/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Supporters cheer on Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, as he delivers a speech on the second night of the Republican National Convention. Although Cruz has criticized President Trump in the past, he has become an outspoken supporter since Trump nabbed the party’s presidential nomination. (Sylvie Kirsch/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Donald Trump speaks to the RNC on the final night of the RNC. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
A Trump supporter left in awe as the former president speaks. His eyes glisten with tears as his hat says Veteran and Military Families for Trump. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
A man in a crowd of MAGA supporters, waving a Make America Great Again flag. Other guests decked out in red, white and blue to show their American nationalism. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, has officially accepted his nomination for Vice President through the Republican Party. In his speech, he mentions his roots in Ohio. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Delegates from Texas wear matching cowboy hats to show their solidarity with Donald Trump. Texas has one of the largest delegate counts in the country. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
JD Vance smiles at the crowd at the RNC. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., look onto the RNC mainstage together. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
A Republican delegate decked out in Trump gear. The woman looks down as she resonates with Trump’s speech, the longest ever such acceptance in U.S. convention history. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Donald Trump applauds the speakers on the RNC main stage. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
A Trump supporter’s hat full of pins in solidarity with the former president. One pin saying firefighters for Trump. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Donald Trump looks into the crowd at Fiserv Forum creating promises to Republicans including a mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, reduce economic inflation and once again – make America great again. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Donald Trump Jr. watches his daughter Kai speak at the RNC. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
An attendee holds up a pro-Trump sign at the RNC. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Donald Trump walks onto the floor of Fiserv Forum with his ear bandaged following an assassination attempt. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
A man in a MAGA Black cap. He listens to the former president intently. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
An RNC attendee decked out in Republican gear and the GOP elephant. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Donald Trump with Republican Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)
Donald Trump looks into the crowd at Fiserv Forum with his fist up. (Karishma Bhuiyan/MEDILL NEWS SERVICE)