Recap: Harris, Trump rally supporters in Milwaukee after Harris stops in Janesville, Little Chute
Recap: Harris, Trump rally supporters in Milwaukee after Harris stops in Janesville, Little Chute
    Posted on 11/02/2024
(This story was updated to add new information.)

It was another big day of presidential campaigning in Wisconsin as both candidates made a late push in this battleground state Friday before Tuesday's election.

Former President Donald Trump held a rally Friday night at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum, the site of his nomination at the Republican National Convention in July.

A few miles away, Vice President Kamala Harris held a rally Friday night at the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center in West Allis.

Harris started a three-stop Wisconsin swing in Janesville in the afternoon and then held a Get Out The Vote event in the Appleton area, at Little Chute High School, before coming to the Milwaukee area.

The Journal Sentinel and USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin provided live coverage throughout the day. Here's a recap:

12:13 am CT November 2, 2024

Trump promises 'bigger, bolder' America

Alison Dirr

Trump told his supporters at Fiserv Forum on Friday night that if he is elected, "America will be bigger, better, bolder, richer, safer and stronger than ever before."

It was just in July that Trump took the stage at Fiserv Forum during the Republican National Convention to formally accept the party's nomination during the four-day event.

12:08 am CT November 2, 2024

In West Allis, Harris says she's ready to fight

Mary Spicuzza, Ricardo Torres, Piet Levy and Jessica Van Egeren

During Harris’ 23-minute speech in West Allis before a raucous crowd of 13,000, she drew sharp contrasts between herself and Trump, and made it clear she was ready to fight.

“Because when you know what you stand for, you know what to fight for,” she told the crowd to booming applause.

10:25 pm CT November 1, 2024

Harris said she sees 'the promise of America' in her supporters

Jessica Van Egeren

Four days before Election Day, Harris said she has lived the promise of America, the promise that anything is possible.

And she sees that promise in the voters who are turning out to support her.

10:24 pm CT November 1, 2024

Isley Brothers a no show at Harris rally

Piet Levy

The Harris rally in West Allis got a surprise appearance from actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, but one musical guest that was supposed to perform didn't show up.

Soul legends the Isley Brothers didn't perform as planned, with a media rep from the Harris campaign telling the Journal Sentinel there was a "scheduling conflict." No other information was immediately available, and the band hadn't posted anything about not appearing at the rally on its Facebook or Instagram pages as of 10:20 p.m. CT Friday.

10:02 pm CT November 1, 2024

Harris makes pitch for bipartisanship after the election

Ricardo Torres

The 2024 presidential campaign has been particularly negative, with both parties spending months hurling insults at each other to gain a slight edge at the ballot box.

Harris took her typical shots at Trump in front of a friendly crowd in West Allis. But she also included a call for bipartisanship to those who don't agree with her.

9:58 pm CT November 1, 2024

Cardi B fires up the Harris crowd and slams Trump

Piet Levy

Cardi B didn't perform for her first Milwaukee appearance ever Friday at Harris' rally.

But the hip-hop superstar offered something that likely was far more impactful than performances of "WAP" or "I Like It" — a fiery, nearly 10-minute speech that drew about as much passion from the crowd as Harris herself, complete with stinging soundbites delivered with her signature, seemingly off-the-cuff swagger.

9:53 pm CT November 1, 2024

Mic issue irks Trump at Fiserv Forum

Alison Dirr

Trump relatively early in his speech pulled the mic off the stand when people in the audience said they couldn’t hear.

He ended up holding the mic and, after a while, started complaining that it was heavy.

9:48 pm CT November 1, 2024

Trump discusses Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis

Drake Bentley

Trump spoke briefly about Fiserv Forum’s main occupant at his rally at the arena Friday.

“Your team is very good,” Trump said of the Milwaukee Bucks, who currently have a 1-4 record to start the NBA season.

9:19 pm CT November 1, 2024

Vice presidential candidates JD Vance, Tim Walz to both rally Wisconsin voters on Monday

Lawrence Andrea

Both vice presidential candidates will return to Wisconsin on Monday to rally their supporters the day before the election.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz will swing through La Crosse, Stevens Point and Milwaukee on Monday, according to the Harris-Walz campaign. The same day, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance will speak in La Crosse, a campaign official told the Journal Sentinel.

9:13 pm CT November 1, 2024

RFK Jr. to Fiserv Forum: Don't vote for me

Lawrence Andrea

Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Trump supporters in Fiserv Forum on Friday not to vote for him.

Kennedy, who dropped out of the presidential race in August and endorsed Trump, is still on the ballot in Wisconsin and Michigan.

9:02 pm CT November 1, 2024

Crowd raps along to GloRilla's hits at Harris rally

Piet Levy

In a strong year for hip-hop from female artists, including new albums from Megan Thee Stallion, Latto and Ice Spice, Memphis-born rapper GloRilla had the highest first week sales for any female rapper this year for her debut studio album "Glorious."

And her star power showed when she took the stage for a three-song, six-song set at Harris' West Allis rally Friday.

8:47 pm CT November 1, 2024

Flo Milli draws some of the loudest cheers so far at Harris rally

Piet Levy

The screams were loud — arguably the loudest yet — at Harris' West Allis rally when rapper Flo Milli's name was called out.

8:45 pm CT November 1, 2024

Sen. Tammy Baldwin says voters can embrace state motto

Jessica Van Egeren

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said Wisconsinites deserve a senator who “understands us and is fighting for us, not one who insults us.”

Baldwin, who's running against Republican Eric Hovde, told the crowd at Harris' rally that voters “have the chance to embrace” Wisconsin’s “Forward” motto when casting their vote.

8:35 pm CT November 1, 2024

Keegan-Michael Key surprises crowd in West Allis

Ricardo Torres

Actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key was a late add to the lineup for the Harris rally.

“We all need to step up and do everything we can to elect Team Harris,” Key said to a raucous crowd.

8:32 pm CT November 1, 2024

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley: 'At long last, she’s gonna break that glass ceiling'

Jessica Van Egeren

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley shared with the crowd gathered at the Wisconsin State Fair Expo Center that he was inspired after watching Barack Obama become the first Black man elected as president of the United States.

Crowley said it's now time to break another glass ceiling. He said, just like when he was younger, watching Obama, he sees the impact Harris’ run for the presidency is having on his three daughters.

8:30 pm CT November 1, 2024

Barack Obama to campaign for Kamala Harris on Sunday

Alison Dirr

Former President Barack Obama will hold a campaign rally in Milwaukee on Sunday, just two days before the election.

Obama's return to Wisconsin to stump for Harris comes on the final day of in-person absentee voting in this key swing state. It's a fitting return, given that his first visit of this campaign was last week in Madison on the first day early voting.

8:21 pm CT November 1, 2024

Harris campaign reports more than 12,000 attendees in West Allis rally

Mary Spicuzza

More than 12,000 people are at the Kamala Harris rally and concert at the State Fair Park Expo Center in West Allis.

The event features big-name female rappers, singers and performers, including trailblazer MC Lyte, GloRilla, Flo Milli and DJ Gemini Gilly as well as the Isley Brothers.

8:12 pm CT November 1, 2024

Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte first artist up at Harris rally

Piet Levy

"Is hip-hop in the building?" MC Lyte asked the crowd at the Harris rally in the middle of her five-minute appearance.

Following a music-heavy "When We Vote We Win" Harris rally Wednesday in Madison heavy on pop, rock and folk — via Gracie Abrams, Mumford & Sons, Remi Wolf and Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner from The National — Friday's rally was hip-hop heavy.

8:07 pm CT November 1, 2024

Mayor Cavalier Johnson: 'If Milwaukee turns out, we win!'

Mary Spicuzza

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson told the crowd gathered at the Wisconsin State Fair Expo Center that the state’s largest city is at the crossroads of this election.

“If Milwaukee turns out, we win!” Johnson said to raucous cheers.

7:56 pm CT November 1, 2024

Watch replay of Kamala Harris rally in West Allis

7:50 pm CT November 1, 2024

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley confident in 'smooth' Election Day

Ricardo Torres

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley attended the Harris rally in West Allis and, with four days left before Election Day, he feels confident it will be “a smooth day.”

“(Historically) we haven’t had many issues,” Crowley said. “We know that we’re going to have people on both sides of the aisle who are going to be election observers. As long as they’re doing their due diligence, being safe and not harassing voters, I don’t think we’re going to have any issues.”

7:39 pm CT November 1, 2024

Milverine endorses Harris

Drake Bentley

Milwaukee’s perhaps most famous pedestrian, John Hamann, also known as “Milverine” because of his striking resemblance to Marvel Comic character “Wolverine,” endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

The local legend posted to his Instagram account Friday an image of his dog, Princess, next to a message on a sidewalk that reads, “CHOOSE FREEDOM. CHOOSE KAMALA.”

7:16 pm CT November 1, 2024

Anti-Trump protest draws hecklers

Tamia Fowlkes

Outside Fiserv Forum, several brief verbal altercations have broken out between anti-Trump protesters and rally attendees.

One Trump supporter shoved protesters and shouted “F— you!” after he and multiple people wearing Make America Great Again hats began yelling at protesters.

7:04 pm CT November 1, 2024

Watch replay of Donald Trump rally at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum

6:57 pm CT November 1, 2024

Outside of Trump’s Milwaukee rally, protesters gather to oppose 'hateful rhetoric'

Tamia Fowlkes

On Friday, partners of the Coalition to March on the RNC gathered on North Phillips Avenue in front of Fiserv Forum to protest Trump.

Speakers said Trump’s “hateful rhetoric” and “racist, sexist agenda” have amplified threats to the civil rights of marginalized people.

6:52 pm CT November 1, 2024

Harris makes final appeal for vote in Little Chute

Rebecca Loroff

Harris asked the crowd who had voted already, to resounding cheers from the audience.

To those who hadn't — saying "no judgment" — she urged them to make a plan for Election Day.

6:35 pm CT November 1, 2024

Crowd lining up to get into Harris rally in West Allis

Quinn Clark

Shortly before the scheduled 6 p.m. start time of Harris' rally in West Allis, crowds were still lining up to enter the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center.

Because of a packed parking lot, many parked far from the center, lining the sidewalk leading up to State Fair Park.

6:30 pm CT November 1, 2024

Trump supporters say cost of living, housing prices among top concerns

Sophie Carson

Several people at the Trump rally said one of their top concerns going into the election was the economy. People said cost-of-living increases made it difficult for many to get by.

Among them were Debbie and David Mayer of Muskego. At 66 and 72 years old, they were concerned for their children and eventual grandchildren.

6:27 pm CT November 1, 2024

Trump supporters mixed on whether to accept election results

Sophie Carson

Outside Fiserv Forum in the Deer District, a large crowd of Trump supporters waited to enter the arena. Several people wore construction vests, a nod to Trump donning a construction vest and riding in a garbage truck in Green Bay earlier in the week.

Just a few days before Election Day, supporters’ predictions on who would win the presidency were mixed. And so were their opinions on whether they’d accept the results of the election.

6:25 pm CT November 1, 2024

Harris praises young voters in Little Chute

Peter Frank

Harris praised the Gen Z voters who will be casting ballots in their first presidential election, saying she's proud of them when she thinks about the future of the nation.

"You are all rightly impatient for change," she said, citing that they want to live free of gun violence and take on climate crisis.

6:15 pm CT November 1, 2024

Harris in Little Chute: 'We are not going back!'

Peter Frank and Faith Huey

Harris said Trump wants to abolish the Affordable Care Act, which would deny millions of Americans health care and allow insurance companies to deny funding care for people with pre-exisiting conditions.

"We are not going back," she said, which the crowd then chanted.

5:59 pm CT November 1, 2024

Watch replay of Harris in Little Chute

5:54 pm CT November 1, 2024

Outside of Trump's Milwaukee rally at Fiserv Forum, attendees cheer, buy merch

Tamia Fowlkes

Hundreds of attendees stood in line outside of Fiserv Forum to see Trump on stage in Milwaukee on Friday night.

The doors to the event opened at 4 pm.

5:48 pm CT November 1, 2024

Trump supporters line street as Harris motorcade pulls up to Little Chute High School

Rebecca Loroff

About 200 Trump supporters lined Freedom Road as the Harris convoy arrived at Little Chute High School after the vice president's plane landed at Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay.

The Trump crowd waved large signs and flags, shouting at the motorcade as it pulled in.

5:45 pm CT November 1, 2024

Tammy Baldwin, state Democrats' leader warm up the Little Chute crowd

Kelli Arseneau

As people filed into the gymnasium, some standing on the floor and others taking seats in the bleachers, Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Ben Wikler took the microphone.

Wikler emphasized the importance of voting in Wisconsin.

5:42 pm CT November 1, 2024

Hundreds of people head inside Little Chute High School for Harris rally

Faith Huey

The rally is taking place inside the school’s gymnasium, although it’s unsure if everyone waiting in line will be able to make it in before the bleachers fill up.

Renee Gralewicz of Appleton nears the front of the line to enter the school. She said she came to show Harris that they have her back.

5:38 pm CT November 1, 2024

Outside Fiserv Forum, people talk about why they support Trump

Mike De Sisti

4:21 pm CT November 1, 2024

Trump supporters, Harris supporters trade barbs in line

Faith Huey

Several groups of Trump supporters camped across the street from Little Chute High School, wearing trash bags and waving Trump flags and signs. A few people wore red oven mitts to represent what they call "the red wave."

One Trump supporter using an American flag as a cape, shouted to the line, saying, “You look stupid!”

4:17 pm CT November 1, 2024

In Little Chute, line continues to grow after 4 p.m.

Kelli Arseneau

Around 3:30 p.m., as Little Chute High School students filed out of school for the day, the line to see Harris had wrapped around the block and extended for about three-quarters of a mile.

A crossing guard blew a whistle to help students exiting the school cross the street at the intersection of Freedom Road and North Avenue amid the mass of people.

3:34 pm CT November 1, 2024

Harris supporters come from near and far to Little Chute

Kelli Arseneau

People in line said they came from near and far to hear Harris speak in the Fox Valley.

Claire Denecke said she drove nearly three hours from her home of Gaastra, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, to get to Little Chute High School after her granddaughter, a student there, told her Thursday afternoon that Harris would be coming.

3:21 pm CT November 1, 2024

Harris calls Foxconn a 'failed promise'

Laura Schulte

While focusing largely on unions and laborers, Harris turned her remarks towards the Foxconn plant, which was built in the Racine area but never attracted the employees Trump promised Wisconsin.

"He said Wisconsin would soon be home to a manufacturing plant, that he called, again, in Donald Trump language, the eighth wonder of the world," she said. "Yet another empty promise, typical for a person that is all talk, no walk."

3:17 pm CT November 1, 2024

Hundreds gather at Janesville IBEW to hear Harris speak

Laura Schulte

In Janesville, hundreds of people packed into the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Local 890 office for a chance to hear Harris speak.

She took the stage to cheers of "Kamala!" from the crowd, many of whom sported neon shirts that said "Laborers Rising with Kamala & Tim."

3:09 pm CT November 1, 2024

In Little Chute, line wraps around the block before Harris rally

Faith Huey

The Harris rally at Little Chute High School isn't scheduled to start till 6 p.m. but those at the front of the line said they arrived at 1 p.m.

As of 2:30 p.m., the line was several blocks long and continued to grow.

2:56 pm CT November 1, 2024

Those waiting to greet Harris include a 97-year-old Elkhorn volunteer who just made 100 get-out-the-vote calls

Mary Spicuzza

Agnes Hanson, 97, headed to Janesville Friday to help welcome Harris back to Wisconsin.

Hanson, who lives in Elkhorn and volunteers with the Walworth County Democrats, just finished making more than 100 phone calls to remind people about early voting.

2:02 pm CT November 1, 2024

Harris heading to IBEW Local 890 office in Janesville

Mary Spicuzza

Harris will be meeting with members of an electrical workers' union in Janesville on Friday afternoon.

The event is being held at the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Local 890 office. She's expected to speak at about 2:45 p.m.

2:00 pm CT November 1, 2024

In Madison, Harris says Trump's comments about Liz Cheney should be 'disqualifying'

Laura Schulte

Harris spoke to reporters Friday afternoon in Madison after getting off her plane, and ripped Trump for his recent comments saying former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney should have guns "trained on her face."

Harris said the comments are just an example of why Trump isn't fit to run for office, and shouldn't be allowed to.

1:42 pm CT November 1, 2024

Harris arrives in Dane County

Mary Spicuzza

Harris arrived at the Dane County Regional Airport in Madison shortly before 1 p.m. Friday. She was expected to take questions from reporters there, per a pool report.

1:40 pm CT November 1, 2024

Keegan-Michael Key added to lineup for Harris rally in West Allis

Mary Spicuzza

Actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key will join Grammy Award-winning rapper Cardi B as guest speakers at Harris' rally and concert in West Allis, the Harris campaign said Friday. The event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The rally will also feature performances by GloRilla, Flo Milli, MC Lyte, The Isley Brothers and DJ GEMINI GILLY.

1:22 pm CT November 1, 2024

What time is the Trump rally in Milwaukee today?

Alison Dirr

Trump will return for an event scheduled to start at 8 p.m. at Fiserv Forum, the downtown arena where he formally accepted the nomination to run for a second term in the White House during the Republican National Convention in July. Doors are set to open at 4 p.m.

Trump is expected to make an economic pitch to voters.
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