Milwaukee, WI
Trump surrogates on ‘Agenda 47’ Milwaukee tour stop downplay talk of Project 2025
What we know now about conservative political playbook Project 2025
Project 2025 is a conservative political playbook causing a stir in the Trump and Biden campaigns. Here is what we know now.
Surrogates for former President Donald Trump held a town hall on Milwaukee’s lower east side Thursday night in which they framed the November election in existential terms and urged supporters to turn out the vote.
The visit came just hours after President Joe Biden spoke to supporters in the western Wisconsin town of Westby in his first visit to the state since he dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in late July.
The town hall is part of the “Team Trump Agenda 47 Policy Tour.” The tour coincides with Trump’s efforts to distance himself from Project 2025, a conservative blueprint created by the Heritage Foundation, even as Democrats continue to point out his connections to the plan.
U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, a Janesville Republican, told those gathered at the Jan Serr Studio in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Kenilworth Square East building that the election is an opportunity to “get our country back on track.”
“The final piece of this is we only win if we show up and vote,” he told the 100 or so people gathered. He added that the fast-approaching election will be decided by a narrow margin.
Both the Trump and Harris campaigns have been crisscrossing the state with just two months until the November election. The latest Marquette University Law School poll found Trump and Harris in a statistical dead heat in Wisconsin, a critical swing state that Trump won in 2016 and lost in 2020.
The panel was moderated by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who was joined on stage by Steil, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson and former Trump administration official and conservative commentator Monica Crowley, a contributor to Project 2025.
Before the town hall kicked off, dozens of protesters gathered on Prospect Avenue outside with a larger-than-life puppet of Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. Their chants included, “JD Vance you can’t hide, Stop Project 2025” and a slogan from Harris’s campaign, “When we fight, we win.”
Tracy Washington, a Power to the Polls canvasser, was quick with an answer when asked what she wanted town hall attendees to take away from the protest: “I want them to take away (Project) 2025,” she said.
“Project 2025, as you know, is an attack on seniors — our health and security,” said Pat Dunn, 79, of the League of Progressive Seniors. “Now, I want you to help me understand why I got to be this old, and now they want to attack my Social Security, my health and security.”
Project 2025 is billed as a “menu of solutions to the border crisis, inflation, a stagnant economy, and rampant crime” that “dismantles the unaccountable Deep State, taking power away from Leftist elites and giving it back to the American people and duly-elected President.”
The policy blueprint calls for replacing civil service government employees with partisan appointees and eliminating the Department of Education, among other proposals.
Similar town halls are taking place across battleground states and focus on issues like the economy, the border crisis and “ending the threat of World War III,” Trump’s campaign said in a statement.
Trump’s campaign billed the Agenda 47 Tour as the “the most extensive surrogate operation in the history of presidential politics” and said it would “enlist some of the most prominent figures in politics, influential celebrities, and a diverse array of everyday Americans across key battleground states to champion President Trump and his Agenda 47 initiative.”
Agenda 47 is Trump’s official campaign platform.
On Thursday evening, the topics ranged from the economy to the opioid epidemic to illegal immigration to “weaponized government” agencies.
The speakers also rallied the crowd, impressing upon those gathered the importance of winning Wisconsin on the road to winning the White House.
Thompson urged Republicans to go to places that aren’t “safe” for them, like college campuses, the Democratic stronghold of Madison and Black churches.
“Ask the people, what do they want? They want our agenda,” he said, adding that Harris is “trying to copy it.”
What wasn’t mentioned during the panel discussion was Project 2025. Only when a reporter asked about it afterward did speakers mention the proposal, saying the event and Trump had nothing to do with it.
“He’s disavowed Project 2025. That’s not his set of his policies. It’s just like any one of a number of think tanks around,” Burgum said afterward. “So I think it’s a complete red herring.”
He added that Project 2025 is “not relevant.”
While Trump has tried to distance himself from it, writing on his social media platform Truth Social that he knows “nothing about Project 2025,” a July USA TODAY analysis found that at least 31 of the project’s 38 creators had connections with Trump’s administration.
Crowley pushed back on Democrats’ tagging the Trump campaign with Project 2025.
“I just want to clarify, when the project got started in the early days, they contacted me to make a few contributions on the Treasury Department piece of it. So I was literally involved for maybe three weeks, and that was the end of it,” Crowley said.
She stressed that the Trump has “absolutely nothing to do” with Project 2025.
“The official Trump platform for policy for his second term is Agenda 47,” Crowley said.
Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com. Mary Spicuzza can be reached at mary.spicuzza@jrn.com.
MILWAUKEE — Two large residential fires displaced dozens of tenants and left two people with injuries on Sunday.
A four-unit building near 87th St. and Villard Ave. was heavily damaged after catching fire around 2 a.m. One firefighter and one resident suffered minor injuries. 14 people from that building are without a home.
Then a 14-unit building near 45th St. and Hampton Ave. went up in flames around 11:45 a.m. No injuries were reported in that fire. The American Red Cross is helping some of the 23 displaced residents at the St. Paul Lutheran Church on 28th St. and Wisconsin Ave.
According to Milwaukee Fire Department Chief Aaron Lipski, neither building had sprinklers.
We NEED to stop sacrificing SURVIVABILITY for AFFORDABILITY.
— Aaron Lipski (@alipski1) June 1, 2025
The lack of building code requirements for sprinklers in older buildings has come under scrutiny after a deadly Mother’s Day fire killed five people.
The cause of both fires is under investigation.
Embark on a Cocktail Adventure at the Second Annual Botanical Battle Royale!
Sunday, June 1st – 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us at Milwaukee’s charming Ivy House for a spectacular day of craft cocktails, gourmet bites, and vibrant competition. Hosted by Bittercube Bitters and Heirloom Liqueurs, in collaboration with the Two Birds Group, this event promises an unmatched showcase of Wisconsin’s finest bartenders.
Tantalize Your Taste Buds: A Seasonal Sensation
Dive into a sensory journey at each booth as top bartenders from around Wisconsin compete, each bringing their unique style to the forefront with concoctions that highlight the unique botanicals in Bittercube and Heirloom, paired with a selection of exceptional spirits.
Be Part of the Action
Your palate, your vote! Engage directly in the competition by voting for your favorite cocktail, and collect exquisite recipe cards photographed professionally, capturing the essence of each creation.
A Feast for the Senses
Experience the thrill as all bartenders present their signature cocktails on stage, each vying for the judges’ favor. Complement your tastings with delectable offerings from premier local food trucks, and don’t miss out on sampling the spirits, liqueurs, and bitters that inspired their creations.
An Art Exhibit to Inspire
Join us for a special exhibition featuring the talented artist and Heirloom collaborator, Josh Stover. As a guest judge at this year’s event, Josh will premiere the five unique posters he designed for each of the Heirloom liqueurs. Attendees will not only get a chance to view these captivating pieces but also purchase signed copies. In addition, Josh will showcase a variety of other artworks, adding an artistic flair to the cocktail experience.
An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast, a food lover, or simply in search of a remarkable day out, the Botanical Battle Royale is set to dazzle. Celebrate the artistry of cocktails, the beauty of botanicals, inspiration art, and the spirit of community at this one-of-a-kind event.
Secure your spot now for a day where botanical magic comes to life at the grand Botanical Battle Royale!
Participant List
- Agency – Milwaukee
- Bavette La Boucherie – Milwaukee
- Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge – Milwaukee
- Explorium Brewing – Wauwatosa
- Hill Valley Dairy – Milwaukee
- Lost Whale – Milwaukee
- Lowlands Group – Milwaukee
- Public Parking – Madison
- Pufferfish – Milwaukee
- Screaming Tuna – Milwaukee
- Station No. 6 – West Allis
- Wiscocktail – Baraboo
Judges
Robert Simonson
Robert writes about cocktails, spirits, bars, and bartenders for the New York Times. He has authored a number of award-winning cocktail books and has been nominated for multiple James Beard Awards. His work has also been featured in Vinepair, Punch, Imbibe, Saveur, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, New York magazine, and Lucky Peach.
Toby Maloney
Toby was Sasha Petraske’s first hire at the legendary Milk & Honey in 1999. After years behind the stick at Milk & Honey and other New York cocktail emporiums, Toby opened The Violet Hour in Chicago, and is Bittercube founder Ira Koplowitz’s first mentor in the industry. Toby has won multiple James Beard awards for his cocktail programs, and continues to innovate in the industry. He recently authored his first cocktail book, The Bartender’s Manifesto.
Immortal Girlfriend
Immortal Girlfriend is an alternative electronic retrofuture band and production duo made up of brothers Kevin and William Bush. Their music, a captivating mix of synthesizers and cinematic influences, defines a genre all its own. As accomplished composers and producers, their work has graced some of the most popular TV shows and video games around the globe. As self-proclaimed foodies and cocktail aficionados, they bring a unique skill set and aesthetic to the judging table.
Mikel McGee
Mikel is a chai tea connoisseur and the proud owner of 414loral, a renowned Milwaukee florist specializing in seasonal floral designs. She is inspired by interesting color palettes, seasonal-locally sourced materials and the community connections that are created through floral design. She was awarded a 40 under 40 award by the Business Journal and has been featured in various publications in Milwaukee. Her love of all things botanical brings an interesting dynamic to the judging table.
Josh Stover
Josh is an artist and sign painter based in Richmond, VA. His work depicts part imagined – part seen environments and still life scenes. In his paintings and drawings, curvy rounded shapes and repetition are a nod to art deco design and the shapes of vintage signs. Josh has exhibited art in Portland, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities. Commissioned by Heirloom Liqueurs in 2024, Josh created posters for each of the five Heirloom liqueurs, utilizing the stories, flavors, and botanicals from each product to develop the artwork.
Spirit Sponsors
- Great Lakes Distillery
- Great Northern Distillery
- Hatch Distilling Co.
- J. Henry & Sons Bourbon
- Knowlton House Distillery
- Ten to One Rum
- Rooster Rojo Tequila
- Wollersheim Distillery
MILWAUKEE — According to the Milwaukee Police Department, an 18-year-old is dead following a shooting early Saturday morning.
The shooting happened Saturday, May 31, around 5 a.m. in the area of 41st St. and Glendale Ave.
Police say the 18-year-old victim died at the scene.
The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating and is in search of unknown suspects.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-Tips or P3 Tips.
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