Battling billboards welcome conventioneers to Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE — If visitors to Milwaukee didn’t know the Republican National Convention was in town, the hodgepodge of billboards would be a strong hint.

“Real men love babies,” one billboard from the nonprofit group Prolife Across America says as drivers head into Milwaukee.

Just a little bit further down the road, another billboard paid for by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s political action committee has a different take on the abortion issue.

“The end of Roe v. Wade brought to you by MAGA extremists,” reads Think Big America’s signage.

The PAC also has another one around town that claims Mr. Trump stands for a national abortion ban.

“MAGA Extremists are in town this week to nominate a president who wants a national abortion ban,” it says before reverting to all capital letters.”Stop them. Vote.” it concludes.

Each sign is sponsored by various political groups, but some are paid for by individuals or even a food-spice company.

One that says, “Trump. Achieve the American dream! 2024” was paid for by personal injury attorney Dan Newlin, a big Trump supporter from Florida.

An anti-Trump billboard aims to remind visitors of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Remember, Remember January 6th This November!” says the billboard, paid for by Penzeys Spices, a spice company that has its headquarters in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

A few anti-Trump billboards paid for by the Republican Accountability PAC feature everyday Americans who claim they once voted for Mr. Trump but won’t do it again.

“I’m a former Trump voter. I’m a gun owner. I won’t vote for Trump,” one billboard says, with a picture of a man named Kyle from Alabama.

According to its website, the PAC has 15 billboards up around the Fiserv Forum, where the convention is being held.

Another anti-Trump billboard refers to Mr. Trump’s criminal convictions.

“Your nominee is a convicted felon,” a billboard paid for by Mad Dog PAC says.

Other billboards hit President Biden on inflation.

“Bidenflation has cost Wisconsin families an average of $22,900 since 2021,” says a billboard paid for by the Republican National Committee. “Democrats = Less money in your pocket.”

Some billboards didn’t hit either of the candidates. One was from a conservative group unhappy at Teamsters President Sean O’Brien’s closing out the first night of the convention with a pro-worker and anti-corporation message not common at major GOP gatherings.

“Two-face Teamsters? 99% of dues spent on political advocacy went to the left. Learn more at Unionfacts.com,” said the billboard, sponsored by the Center for Union Facts.