Trump’s Milwaukee Rally Shifts to Press Conference, Focuses on Education

MILWAUKEE, Wis (Civic Media) — Former President Donald Trump’s campaign event in Milwaukee on Tuesday shifted from a public rally to a press conference-style gathering, catching some supporters off guard.

The change, attributed to security and capacity concerns by a Trump campaign spokesperson, left several dozen supporters waiting outside Discovery World for hours.

Inside the Todd Wehr Theater at Discovery World, speakers addressed education issues before Trump’s arrival. First Congressional District Rep. Bryan Steil moderated, with former state Rep. Amy Loudenbeck discussing school choice and Scarlett Johnson from Moms for Liberty addressing Title IX concerns.

Sam Seefeld, executive director of Trinity Lutheran School in Mequon, invited both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris to tour his school, touting it as the state’s oldest private institution.

Several students from area choice schools spoke about their experiences. Leah Lawrence, a senior wrestler at Wisconsin Lutheran, said that every family should have the right to choose the best education for their children. Lawrence praised Trump for his stance on school choice. An 8th grader from Trinity Lutheran gave the former president a T-shirt keepsake, with other student speakers asking Trump for pictures.    

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson introduced Trump, recounting his role in introducing school choice to Wisconsin.

Trump’s speech eventually focused on education, criticizing Milwaukee Public Schools’ low reading proficiency rates while acknowledging the city’s pioneering role in school choice under Democratic leadership.

The former president, while taking questions from the press, announced plans for future rallies at Fiserv Forum and in Green Bay.  This morning, a rally was announced for Sunday, to be held at the Dodge County Airport in Juneau.

Vice President Harris is in the state tomorrow, with an event in the Fox Valley.