RNC: Anticipation builds as Trump arrives in Milwaukee

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Former President Donald Trump arrived in Milwaukee just a day after he was targeted in an attempted assassination during a campaign event on Saturday.

After landing at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, Trump's motorcade was seen in downtown Milwaukee.

Many people and convention goers gather around trying to catch a glimpse of the former president after a gunman opened fire during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania before he was fatally shot by Secret Service agents.

Trump traveled to Milwaukee after he originally planned to delay his trip in wake of the shocking attack, according to a post on Truth Social. The former president said he changed his mind and wasn't going to allow a "shooter or a potential assassin" force changes to the convention schedule.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson said he's grateful the former president decided to come despite the attack.

"Right now, Trump has a chance to bring the whole country together," Thompson said. "He can become the heeler. The individual saying, they tried to take me out and I'm a fighter. I'm going to fight for you."

Thompson suggested Trump will win the presidency in wake of the shooting and a poor debate performance by President Joe Biden last month.

"I think the campaign is almost over after what took place last night, the problems Democrats are having," Thompson said. "I think we're going to win and we're going to win big."

Sources tell CBS 58 that the former president could make an appearance on the convention stage on Monday.

State Rep. Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) suspects Trump will make some public appearance at Fiserv before formally accepting his nomination Thursday evening.

"It would be par for the course for the president to make an appearance right out of the gate and I know the delegates, the alternates -- the arena is going to go crazy for him," August said.