A color guard practice before the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The convention will take place from 15 to 18 July. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP)
- Days after he survived an assassination attempt, Republicans are set to nominate Donald Trump as the party’s official presidential candidate.
- The convention is expected to run from 15 to 18 July.
- Around 50 000 people are expected to attend the convention amidst heightened security following the attempt on Trump’s life that claimed the life of one man and wounded two others.
Days after he survived an assassination attempt, Republicans are set to nominate Donald Trump as the party’s official presidential candidate at the Republican National Convention taking place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, starting on Monday.
The convention is expected to run from 15 to 18 July.
Trump arrived on Sunday in Milwaukee, having posted on his Truth Social platform that Americans should stand united and not let “evil to win”, and that he had decided to attend the convention as planned.
“I cannot allow a ‘shooter,’ or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else”.
A rally attendee killed on Saturday was identified by authorities as Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania, while the two others, David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, who were shot and wounded are said to be in a stable condition.
With the convention set to begin on Monday, here are some key statistics about one of the most important political events ahead of November’s general election.
Visitors
Around 50 000 people are expected to attend the convention, held at the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee, according to city officials who laid out the plans before a gunman tried to kill Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Now the numbers may fluctuate, with some staying away out of security fears and others doubling down.
Among the attendees are the 2 400 Republican delegates who will formally nominate the party’s candidate and vice presidential pick.
READ | ‘Probability of Trump winning has increased to 70%’: Investors react to shooting
Thousands of journalists from around the world will cover the proceedings, now under an even more intense spotlight after the assassination bid.
“Visit Milwaukee,” the city’s tourism advocacy group, said it has prepared at least 15 000 bags for media workers attending the convention.
Security and guns
The US Secret Service insisted Sunday the agency is “fully prepared” to maintain security at the convention, and that it was not changing its protocols even after the assassination attempt.
“We’re fully prepared and have a comprehensive security plan in place, and we’re ready to go,” Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, the Secret Service’s RNC coordinator, told reporters, expressing confidence that the event will be protected by the “highest-level security.”
Other security forces will also be on hand to deal with any outcome, including protests.
Up to 4 500 additional police officers from surrounding areas will join the Milwaukee Police Department to secure the event, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
SEE| Donald Trump rally shooting: Minute-by-minute timeline of what happened
As an added security measure, the area around the convention has been deemed a “drone-free zone” for the duration of the event.
Under Wisconsin state law, guns will still be allowed in the outer perimeter — outside the Secret Service-controlled area, Milwaukee officials told reporters Sunday.
Funds
Organizers have raised $85 million for the convention, “a record amount,” they said in a news release.
The funds will go toward venue rental, transportation costs, opening and closing parties and more, according to the organizing committee.
Economic Impact
Before the assassination attempt, Visit Milwaukee estimated the city could benefit from at least $200 million in “direct, indirect and induced” spending.
This would include spending by visitors on hotels, restaurants, vehicle rentals and more, with the convention leading to increased foot traffic at local businesses.
Balloons
“It wouldn’t be a national political convention without balloons!” the Visit Milwaukee account said in an image posted to X.
More than 100 000 balloons in the US national colors of red, white and blue are expected to be dropped the moment Trump is certified as the Republican nominee on Thursday.
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