MILWAUKEE - With the Republican National Convention mere days away – where MAGA Republicans from across the country will descend on Milwaukee to fall in line with Donald Trump’s toxic plan to ban abortion nationwide, dismantle democracy, and destroy the economy for the middle class – the DNC is going on the offensive across the city that Trump recently called ‘horrible.’ In the lead-up to the RNC, the DNC has launched robust counterprogramming efforts to ensure Wisconsin voters know that President Biden is fighting for them, while underlining the threat Trump represents to their fundamental freedoms in this year’s election.

As Donald Trump attempts to hide his extreme agenda to dismantle reproductive freedom and democracy and continues to only look out for himself, President Biden continues to deliver for American families and remains committed to restoring and defending fundamental freedoms across the nation.

See details of the DNC’s counterprogramming efforts below:

NBC News: DNC and Biden campaign prepare counter-message for Trump's convention
[Mike Memoli, 7/11/24]

“The Democratic National Committee and the Biden campaign say they are planning a six-figure paid visibility effort in Milwaukee during the RNC, with daily news conferences featuring Democratic surrogates and advertising around the city blasting Trump and the governing blueprint put forward by conservative allies. [...]

“‘If Trump thought Milwaukee was ‘horrible’ before, he won’t be happy when he’s met by a counter-convention from Democrats on the ground who will expose his extreme Project 2025 agenda and hold him accountable for shilling for the rich at the expense of working families, attacking reproductive freedom, and threatening to be a dictator on ‘day one,’ DNC communications director Rosemary Boeglin said in a statement. ‘Trump wants to sell the American people on a return to his reckless, chaotic extremism — but Americans know a fraud and a liar when they see one.’

[...]

“Trump himself will also be a major target of the DNC’s activities, with the party casting the convention as showcasing ‘the best that they have to offer the American people: a coup-attempting convicted felon.’ The party says its counterprogramming will highlight ‘the grave danger that Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans pose to our democracy, our rights, and our livelihoods.’

“The party says it will have pro-Biden and anti-Trump messages on billboards across Milwaukee, as well as mobile billboards and dozens of city buses. Each morning, Biden and DNC officials will host news conferences about specific parts of the Trump agenda, with surrogates who will include Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. 

“A rapid response team will also be working to spotlight what the Trump and Republican teams are doing at and around the convention.”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Democrats outfitting buses with 'Dark Brandon' memes to troll the RNC in Milwaukee
[Jessie Opoien, 07/08/24]

“A week before the Republican National Convention's launch in Milwaukee, the Democratic National Committee is outfitting 57 buses with ads boosting Democratic President Joe Biden and targeting Republican former President Donald Trump.

“There are seven wraps altogether, four of which feature the ‘Dark Brandon’ meme — an illustration of Biden with laser eyes playing off the right-wing ‘Let's Go Brandon’ chant (meant as code for ‘F--- Joe Biden’).

“Slogans on the ‘Dark Brandon’ buses include ‘Restore Roe? Vote for Joe!!’ and ‘Get On Board, Folks. We're Lowering Prescription Drug Costs.’

“The anti-Trump buses include notes that the former president is a convicted felon and a quote from a 2023 interview he did with Newsmax: ‘I'm the one that got rid of Roe v. Wade.’”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's a look at the political billboards popping up around Milwaukee ahead of the RNC
[Maia Pandey, 07/09/24]

“The billboard floodgates seemed to open last month, when the DNC capitalized on Trump’s comments disparaging Milwaukee with a billboard blitz across the city.

“In a June meeting with House Republicans, Trump said, ‘Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city,’ according to a report by Punchbowl News. The comment quickly went viral, prompting explanations and denials from Republican lawmakers, the Trump campaign and the former president himself.

“Just a day after news broke of the comment, national Democrats launched 10 billboards in Milwaukee with Trump's face and words. The billboards are along I-94, I-41 and I-43. Find a list of specific locations here.

“The DNC will launch eight more billboards in Milwaukee next week focused on preserving democracy and abortion rights, The Hill reported Tuesday. These signs, which will appear in both English and Spanish, will read, ‘Democracy is on the ballot, folks,’ ‘Restore Roe? Vote for Joe!!’ and ‘Joe Biden will: restore Roe, fight for freedoms, defend democracy,’ according to The Hill. [...]

“The DNC didn't stop with its first round of "horrible city" billboards.

“In another riff on the incident, national Democrats put up eight Fourth of July billboards around the city last week. Along with wishing Milwaukee a happy July Fourth, the billboards read, ‘Unlike Donald Trump, Joe Biden loves your city.’

“The signs are all positioned in high-traffic areas around Milwaukee, including I-43 and I-94. Find a complete list of locations here.”

The Hill: DNC to launch billboards, bus signs in Milwaukee for RNC hitting Trump over Roe, democracy
[Alex Gangitano, 07/09/24]

“The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will launch eight billboards in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention next week, making the case that reproductive rights and democracy are on the ballot in November.

“On the billboards, first shared exclusively with The Hill, Milwaukee will see ‘Democracy is on the ballot, folks’ and ‘Restore Roe? Vote for Joe!!’

“‘Joe Biden will: restore Roe, fight for freedoms, defend democracy,’ another billboard reads.

“The billboards will be in English and Spanish and aims to remind ‘Milwaukee that Biden is the only candidate defending democracy and freedoms,’ according to the DNC.

“The DNC has also arranged for signs on 57 buses around Milwaukee to include seven slogans supporting Biden with similar messages about democracy and Roe, including, ‘Restore Roe? Vote for Joe!!,’ the committee said.

“President Biden has made restoring the protections that Roe v. Wade provided a key pillar of his campaign after the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion protections. He also often warns on the campaign trail that former President Trump is a threat to democracy, citing his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

“The focus on democracy on the billboards comes after the Supreme Court gave Trump a win by determining core presidential powers are immune from criminal prosecution, returning his federal case on his efforts to overturn the 2020 election back to a lower court.

“Biden has harshly criticized the ruling, calling it a ‘dangerous precedent’ and warning that the ruling means “the American people must decide if they want to entrust” the presidency to Trump knowing he can ‘be even more emboldened.’”

Reuters: US Democrats roll out Biden ads in Milwaukee before Republican convention
[Stephanie Kelly, 07/08/24]

“U.S. Democrats are rolling out advertisements on dozens of Milwaukee buses before the Republican convention there next week, with most featuring images of U.S. President Joe Biden from a popular online meme even as he tries to salvage his re-election bid.

“More than 50 buses will carry the ads through the convention that runs from July 15-18, the Democratic National Committee said. Biden's rival Donald Trump is due to be officially named at the convention as the Republican Party's nominee in the Nov. 5 presidential election.

[...]

“The ad rollout has been in the works for months, the DNC said, far before the June 27 debate.

“Biden beat Trump in the left-leaning city of Milwaukee by a landslide margin of nearly 60 percentage points, but carried the larger state of Wisconsin by fewer than 21,000 votes out of 3.2 million cast. Wisconsin is expected to be a pivotal battleground state in the election this year.

“The ads focus on abortion rights, lowering the cost of prescription drugs and the recent criminal conviction of Trump, who only weeks ago called Milwaukee a ‘horrible city’ at a closed door meeting, according to media reports.

[...]

“The ads feature Biden staring out with red eyes mimicking the popular ‘Dark Brandon’ meme, which started as a right-wing slogan to tie Biden to conspiracy theories but has since been co-opted by Democrats in support of Biden.

“‘Get real, Jack. I'm bringing Roe back,’ says one ad, a reference to the Supreme Court's decision in 2022 to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion. The court's conservative majority includes three justices Trump appointed.

"’This year, the survival of our democracy is on the ballot, along with protections for fundamental freedoms, health care, affordable prescription drugs, and good-paying jobs,’ said Rosemary Boeglin, communications director for the Democratic National Committee, whose own convention will take place in Chicago in August.

"’There's just one candidate who will protect them: President Joe Biden.’”

The Washington Times: Democrats to roll out fleet of ‘Dark Brandon’ buses to cruise around GOP convention
[Kerry Picket, 07/08/24]

“Democrats are plowing ahead with plans to drive a fleet of 57 buses, which include vehicles wrapped with President Biden’s face as ‘Dark Brandon,’ around the Republican National Convention next week in Milwaukee.

[...]

“Democrats say they will remind voters that Mr. Biden ‘is fighting for them as Trump and extreme Republicans prepare to descend on the city — which Donald Trump described as ‘horrible,’ a reference to a comment Mr. Trump made at a GOP meeting with lawmakers in Washington.

“DNC Communications Director Rosemary Boeglin said in a statement that there is just one candidate who will protect ‘democracy’ and ‘protections for fundamental freedoms, health care, affordable prescription drugs, and good-paying jobs.’

“‘Ahead of the Republican National Convention, Democrats are making sure that Wisconsinites and all Americans understand that if Trump wins, America loses,’ she said. ‘President Biden has Americans’ backs, and we’ll have his when we send him back to the Oval Office for four more years this November.’”

Washington Examiner: DNC placing pro-Biden ads on Milwaukee buses ahead of RNC convention
[Annabella Rosciglione, 07/08/24]

“The Democratic National Committee is rolling out ads for President Joe Biden on city buses in Milwaukee ahead of the Republican National Convention the city is hosting next week.

“Fifty-seven buses will be wrapped with pro-Biden ads. There are seven original wraps and four of the seven feature the ‘Dark Brandon’ meme with taglines such as ‘Restore Roe? Vote for Joe!!’ and ‘Get On Board, Folks. We’re Lowering Prescription Drug Costs.’

[...]

“The bus campaign also features sentiments against former President Donald Trump. One wrap denotes Trump’s new status as a convicted felon. Another bus wrap uses a quote from Trump in which he claimed he was the one who got rid of Roe v. Wade.

“‘He won’t stop until reproductive care is banned everywhere including Wisconsin,’ one of the wraps reads.”

Urban Milwaukee: Bus Ads Will Blast Trump, Promote Biden During Republican Convention
[Graham Kilmer, 07/08/24]

“The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is turning Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) buses into rolling ads blasting former president Donald Trump during the Republican National Convention (RNC).

“The DNC announced Monday that it was ‘going on the offensive early,’ and purchasing ad space on 57 MCTS buses, which covers approximately 15% of the transit system’s fleet. A spokesperson for the DNC told Urban Milwaukee the committee didn’t yet know how much would be spent on the ads.

“The rolling ad campaign includes three separate anti-Trump ads highlighting his support for overturning Roe v. Wade and his recent felony criminal conviction. They are contrasted by four that will promote President Joe Biden‘s campaign, employing the ‘Dark Brandon’ image of Biden with red laser beams for eyes. The pro-Biden ads highlight his support for Roe, lowering prescription drug costs and protecting Social Security.

[...]

“‘We’re trying to reach people in the most fractured media environment in the history of American politics,’ Sam Cornale, DNC Executive Director recently told Wisconsin Public Radio. ‘And we’re taking an incredibly innovative approach, one facet of which is over-indexing on billboards.’”

WTMJ: New bus ads supporting President Biden to run during the RNC
[WTMJ News, 07/11/24]

“The Democratic National Committee is taking their promotional strategy to the streets, purchasing bus wraps that will travel around Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention.

“The DNC purchased 7 bus wraps that will appear on 57 buses run by the Milwaukee County Transit System. Four of the bus ads focus on President Biden’s record, specifically regarding the restoration of abortion protections after the Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health decision, lowering prescription drugs, and maintaining social security. Three ads take aim at former President Trump’s record when it comes to Wisconsin families.

“DNC Communications Director Rosemary Boeglin says, ‘[a]head of the Republican National Convention, Democrats are making sure that Wisconsinites and all Americans understand that if Trump wins, America loses. This year, the survival of our democracy is on the ballot, along with protections for fundamental freedoms, health care, affordable prescription drugs, and good-paying jobs. There’s just one candidate who will protect them: President Joe Biden. While Trump, a convicted felon, selfishly campaigns to benefit himself, President Biden is looking out for us. President Biden has Americans’ backs, and we’ll have his when we send him back to the Oval Office for four more years this November.’”

WISN: From buses to billboards: Political ads take over Milwaukee
[Kendall Keys, 7/9/24]

“Democrats and Republicans have billboards up all across the city.

“‘We've got a ton of billboards. Anybody driving in or around the city of Milwaukee will see those. We've got digital ads, we've got TV. We're blanketing radio,’ Sam Cornale, executive director for the Democratic National Committee said.

“The DNC paid to wrap nearly 60 Milwaukee County buses with signs advocating for President Joe Biden.

“‘What you're seeing on the buses is our attempt to meet voters where they are on the street corners and say ‘This is the choice that you have to start wrapping your head around, and we're going to work to earn your vote,’ Cornale said.

“‘Is it safe to say millions will be spent next week during the RNC on ad campaigns by the DNC?’ WISN 12 News reporter Kendall Keys asked Cornale.

“‘I think it is safe to say that. Not just because the GOP convention is in Wisconsin, but because it is going to be a very, very close and critically important state,’ Cornale said.”

CBS 58: Billboards in Wisconsin: Biden targets Latinos, Trump stays away from national abortion ban
[Daniela Cado, 7/9/24]

“As Milwaukee prepares for the Republican National Convention next week, dueling messages appear along the highways -- in English and in Spanish -- to attract some Latino voters in Wisconsin.

“Billboards may be an old school strategy to advertise, but political experts say it's just as effective today as it was back in the day in reaching a larger audience.

“‘A simple message really catches your attention. They're short, so I think everybody gets to seem them,’ said Marco Frieri, the Hispanic media director for the Democratic National Committee.

[...]

“Frieri explained to CBS 58 News on Tuesday why the DNC has launched billboards in English and Spanish.

“‘Latinos see, 'they're thinking about us, they actually care about us, they want to communicate how we communicate,’ he said.

“According to the latest data from Pew Research Center, Latinos have grown at the second-fastest rate of any major racial and ethnic group in the U.S. electorate since the last presidential election, with an estimated 36.2 million eligible voters.

“Frieri said that is the DNC's underlying message from the one that's front and center.

“‘We're trying to highlight what he's proposing and what we're defending - again, our democracy, our institutions and women's rights are key in this election,’ Frieri said.”

Spanish language coverage:

Telemundo Wisconsin: Carteles en Wisconsin: Biden se enfoca en el voto latino, Trump se mantiene alejado de la prohibición nacional del aborto
[Daniela Cado, 7/9/24]

“Porque sabemos que el votante latino también está pendiente de cómo son representados en el proceso democratico. Sabemos que están ahí, los reconocemos, reconocemos su importancia y queremos que se sientan valorados [hablándoles] en su idioma”.

[...]

“Está en riesgo nuestra democracia, los derechos reproductivos, la libertad reproductiva de las mujeres que es sumamente importante, y nuestras instituciones y nuestras libertades que son la base principal de nuestro país”.