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Wednesday, April 09, 2025
Review: Republican National Convention
Trade, energy independence, immigration and reducing regulations dominated the discussion between aggies at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Throughout four days of official sessions, fundraisers, delegate sessions, parties, receptions and events, GOP guests created a tone of unity, although the event was overshadowed by the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump the Saturday before the festivities commenced. Philip Brasher and Lydia Johnson reported from Milwaukee on the proposals that could bring policy changes to the farm gate after the November election. This gallery is a small snapshot representing the meaningful messages from movers and shakers.
In case you missed it, catch up on our coverage from the RNC:
Delegates, elected officials, farmers, and industry representatives gathered in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention this week. We dove into discussions about trade, immigration, and energy proposed in the GOP platform that could change the policy landscape after the November election.
Former President Donald Trump, in his third acceptance speech since 2016, made sweeping promises Thursday night to protect American jobs from foreign competition, abolish the Biden administration’s “Green New Scam” clean energy policies and end illegal immigration.
Vance slams China, NAFTA trade deals, pledges to protect U.S. jobs
Republican vice presidential nominee and first-term senator JD Vance made a populist, America First case against President Joe Biden Wednesday night, tying him to trade deals that cost American jobs and pledging to stop the replacement of American workers with immigrant labor.
Senate Ag Republican: We’d be better off punting farm bill to next year
Senate Agriculture Committee Republican Roger Marshall said Wednesday farmers would be better off if work on a new farm bill is punted into next year, when Republicans could be in control of the White House and both houses of Congress.
Arizona rancher makes case for border control, Trump: 'Feels like an invasion because it is'
An Arizona ranching couple appeared at the Republican National Convention Wednesday to detail their experience with illegal immigration, which they say has surged five-fold on their border land under President Joe Biden.
Donald Trump gives a thumbs up to the crowd after the conclusion of his 92-minute presidential nomination acceptance speech alongside his wife, Melania, and running mate, JD Vance. Trump's address set a record for the longest acceptance speech in convention history. (Photo: Lydia Johnson)
Donald Trump gives a thumbs up to the crowd after the conclusion of his 92-minute presidential nomination acceptance speech alongside his wife, Melania, and running mate, JD Vance. Trump's address set a record for the longest acceptance speech in convention history. (Photo: Lydia Johnson)
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., speaks at the Great American Farm Fair event at the Malchine Farm near Racine, Wisconsin. During his remarks, Marshall said farmers would be better off if work on a new farm bill is punted into next year when Republicans could be in control of the White House and both houses of Congress.
"We’re not going to get a farm bill done in the near future, it’s just not going to happen,” he said. “Maybe we'll get something done in the lame duck session. I'm telling you it would be a lot better with Sen. John Boozman as the chairperson of the Ag Committee, and probably with an Amy Klobuchar as the… ranking member of the Ag Committee. That’s when we would get a good farm bill done.”
Guests wave Trump Vance signs on Monday evening after JD Vance was announced as Trump's running mate.
Donald Trump entering the stage to give his presidential nomination acceptance speech Thursday evening.
House Ag Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson speaking at the Great American Farm Fair event. He remained optimistic about getting his committee’s farm bill passed by the House, but acknowledged the skepticism about the bill’s prospects on the House floor.
Thompson's counterpart on the Senate Ag Committee, Ranking Member John Boozman, was not in attendance at the lunch.
Agri-Pulse's Philip Brasher interviews Chuck Conner, president of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, on the outskirts of the Great American Farm Fair event.
Former President Donald Trump exits the stage Wednesday evening after JD Vance's vice presidential nomination acceptance speech.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum spoke about energy independence during Wednesday evening's official session at the RNC. He gave a shoutout to rural America while discussing the benefits of fracking. The crowd waved American Oil from American Soil signs.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum speaks at the 2024 Republican National Convention. (Photo: Lydia Johnson)
American Oil from American Soil signs being waved Wednesday evening during North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum's address at the RNC.
Wisconsin delegates joined the final official session with cheese hats complete with "TRUMP" stickers on the side.
Sid Miller stands atop the bus he's riding to campaign in battleground states for Trump throughout the fall. He is a rumored to be one of Trump's top ag secretary picks.
Sid Miller, Texas Ag Commissioner and rumored one of Trump's potential ag secretary candidates, arrived at the Great American Farm Fair lunch in the campaign bus he’s using to tour the country campaigning for Trump. The back is adorned, “Follow Me and Let’s Bring Back Donald Trump’s Affordable Gas & Grocery Prices."
Kip Tom, former Ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump Administration and current director of the Farmers and Ranchers for Trump Coalition, spoke to attendees at the Great American Farm Fair event. In an interview with Agri-Pulse following his remarks, he described the crowd as a "highly charged" audience. He is also rumored to be one of Trump's top ag secretary picks.
Donald Trump raising his fist at the conclusion of his RNC speech in the same form as he did immediately after someone tried to assassinate him at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally Saturday.
Arizona ranchers Jim and Sue Chilton took the stage at the Republican National Convention to detail their experience with illegal immigration, which they say has surged five-fold on their border land under President Joe Biden. They estimated that over 5,000 people crossed the border on their land in April 2024 alone.
The crowd waved "Mass Deportation Now" signs as the Chiltons delivered their remarks from the RNC stage.
House Ag Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson and Senate Ag Committee member Roger Marshall, R-Kan., embrace on stage at the Great American Farm Fair lunch near Racine, Wisconsin, during the RNC. The two lawmakers were co-hosts of the event led by the Farmers and Ranchers for Trump coalition.
Ohio Sen. JD Vance (Photo by Lydia Johnson)
House Ag Committee member Mary Miller, R-Ill., watches during Wednesday evening's official session at the RNC. She is leading the Illinois 65-member Republican delegation.
Attendees took photos and videos throughout the former president's entire 92-minute speech.
The crowd looks to the stage while balloons fall after Donald Trump's presidential nomination acceptance speech concluding the convention.
Trump and Vance listen to the official session together during the RNC.
House Ag Committee member and White House physician during the Trump administration Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, was seated behind the running mates.
House Agriculture Committee member Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, took the stage Wednesday evening in American flag heels to voice her support for Trump's presidential nomination. She introduced herself as "the proud daughter of Mexican farmworkers."
Trump didn’t directly talk about his pledge to impose across-the-board tariffs on imported products and duties of up to 60% on China during his speech. However, he did tout his administration’s trade record.
“We have long been taken advantage of by other countries, and think of it, oftentimes these other countries are considered so-called allies,” Trump said. “We lose jobs, we lose revenue, and they gain everything, and wipe out our businesses, wipe out our people. I stopped it for four years, I stopped it.”
Rapper Kid Rock led the crowd in a call-and-response, “Fight, Fight, Fight,” chant before Donald Trump entered the stage to deliver his presidential nomination acceptance speech.
Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump's 2016 campaign manager and previous counselor during his term as president, took the stage for more than 6 minutes outlining the sacrifices Trump made during his career in public service and highlighting his empowerment of women in leadership positions on his staff.
Hear more from Conway about rural voter perspective on a special edition of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers from the Republican National Convention.
Nikki Haley, former South Carolina Governor and presidential candidate, endorsed Donald Trump in her Tuesday evening RNC remarks. She began her address by saying, “I’ll start by making one thing perfectly clear: Donald Trump has my strong endorsement. Period."
JD Vance swarmed by delegates after his name is announced as Trump's running mate in the Fiserv Forum Monday afternoon.
Attendees wore an array of statement pieces to show their support for the presidential nominee.
The stage set to begin the RNC.
House Speaker Mike Johnson fields questions from reporters on the floor of the RNC.
Delegates watch during Wednesday's official session. A sense of unity was created between GOP attendees throughout the week.
Trump touting a chart during his presidential nomination acceptance speech with U.S. illegal immigration rates. It is the same chart he turned to point to on Saturday at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally at the moment of the attempted assassination.
Texas delegates are interviewed after the conclusion of an official session. The Lone Star State's 273 delegates all wore cowboy hats.
Florida Gov. and former presidential candidate Ron DeSantis spoke to attendees during Wednesday's official session.
Ear patches mimicking Trump quickly became a fashion trend for Republicans. Some delegates wore American Flag patches.
Delegates displayed their support for the Republican party with an array of outfits and accessories. In addition to ear patches, it was common to see buttons, earrings, stickers, and outfits displaying America's colors and Trump's name.
Donald and Melania Trump during the balloon drop at the Republican National Convention.
Rep. Derrick VanOrden, R-Wis., introduces House Ag Committee chair, Glenn “GT” Thompson. In his remarks, VanOrden touted that he is the first Wisconsin representative in more than 10 years to serve on the House Agriculture Committee.
Sponsors of the Great American Farm Fair printed on a banner hung at the event.
"Farmers and Ranchers for Trump" logo printed on the event banner.
The Fiserv Forum was filled as Donald Trump delivered his 92-minute presidential nomination speech. The audience watched on from the floor taking more photos, videos, and many even going live on Facebook during the address.
House Ag Committee member Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y., was part of the New York delegation.
Texas delegates waving their matching hats before the beginning of a session.
Trump, in his third acceptance speech since 2016, made sweeping promises Thursday night to protect American jobs from foreign competition, abolish the Biden administration’s “Green New Scam” clean energy policies and end illegal immigration.
The 39-year-old Ohioan slammed Biden for supporting permanent normal trade relations with China and the North American Free Trade Agreement during his Wednesday night speech.
Preparing for Tuesday evening's presentation of colors on the RNC floor.
The audience watches on as JD Vance enters the crowd after his name is announced in the Fiserv Forum as Trump's running mate.
Donald and Melania Trump look into the crowd during the balloon drop concluding the convention.
Retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan spoke before Trump took the stage on Thursday night. During his address, he ripped off his shirt, revealing a bright red Trump-Vance tee, declaring, “At the end of the day with our leader up there, my hero, that gladiator, we're going to bring America back together, one real American at a time.”
Delegates, media and guests filled the floor during Trump's 92-minute speech.
Running mates shake hands after Trump's speech.
Moments before the presentation of colors on the RNC floor.
Photographers documenting Trump's speech.
Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., and a Kentucky delegate laughing as JD Vance made a reference to the time spent growing up in their state.
Iowa's attorney general Brenna Bird was elected as temporary RNC chair. She conducted the vice presidential nomination process for Vance at the event.
Trump watches with his family after his running mate's speech.
Attendees were quick to document JD Vance entering the floor after he was announced as Trump's running mate.
Delegates listened intently throughout the four days of speeches.
Eric Trump, Donald Trump's son, announces that all 125 Florida delegate votes will go to his father.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum watches speeches from the VIP section alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson and his wife, Kelly Lary.
On energy policy, Trump claimed during his speech Biden wasted trillions of dollars on the “Green New Scam,” which he claimed had contributed to inflation, an apparent reference to the Inflation Reduction Act enacted in 2022.
The IRA, which included funding for farm bill conservation programs, was estimated to cost well under $1 trillion. But Trump promised to somehow redirect clean energy funding to infrastructure projects. “We will not allow it to be spent on Green New Scam ideas.”
