RNC holds first presidential debate in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE, Wis, (Civic Media) – Republican candidates for president will take to the debate stage for the first time tonight in Milwaukee. The debate is being held in the same city that will host the Republican National Convention next year, where the Republican candidate for president will be decided.

The debate is taking place at the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee.

The debate begins at 8PM, and will air live on Fox News, and online on the Fox News website. Civic Media is airing live broadcasts from Milwaukee all day Wednesday, with a live pre-debate show with The Lincoln Project beginning at 6PM. You can listen live on Civic Media stations across the state, or online on our X (formerly known as Twitter) or Facebook.

Eight candidates will be taking the stage tonight – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former North Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former vice president Mike Pence, North Dakota Governor Doug Bergum, and attorney Asa Hutchinson.

Notably absent from the debate is former President Donald Trump, who instead will be appearing in an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Both state and national Democrats gathered in Milwaukee today as well. At a press conference, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler chastised Republicans for their records on abortion and education.

The Fiserv Forum will also see protests of the debate tonight. Members of the SEIU rallied outside the arena earlier today to denounce GOP candidates who they say have given anti-worker, pre-corporation agendas.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said that he encourages all protestors to be peaceful, and that he has extreme confidence in the Milwaukee Police Department in keeping the debate safe.