Helen Pitt
Milwaukee may be a long way from Hollywood, but there has been a steady stream of celebrities and pop culture figures lining up to endorse US presidential candidate Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention this week.
Not all are long-time Republican supporters. Reality TV star, rapper and former OnlyFans model Amber Rose, a former Democrat and Hillary Clinton supporter, spoke on stage for five minutes on Thursday in support of Trump and his wife Melania.
Amber Rose attends a rehearsal at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 14.Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Rose, known for her pro-choice and pro-LGBTQ stance as founder of the SlutWalk movement, which is against rape culture and victim-blaming and in favour of gender equality, said she was inspired to become a Republican because of her father, a veteran.
“When I met the president and Melania for the first time he was kind and generous and funny as hell,” Rose told the crowd.
“When you go to the store and buy food for your family, you are shocked. When you fill up your gas tank, you are pissed. I know I am. And when you turn on the news you are just exhausted … and you know in your heart it was not like this under Donald Trump,” she said to rousing applause.
Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Bollea) took to the stage in the final hours of the convention, ripped off some clothes and described Trump as his hero.
Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan arrives at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Credit: AP/Julia Nikhinson
British comedian Russell Brand told fans on Instagram he would be at the convention all week, broadcasting his show live.
Brand has been accused by several women of rape and sexual assault in alleged incidents during the height of his fame, between 2006 and 2013. He has strongly denied the allegations. Scotland Yard launched an investigation into the claims. Brand has been interviewed but not charged.
Russell Brand has told fans he’d be at the RNC in Milwaukee all week.Credit: Getty
Detroit-based musician Kid Rock promoted his appearance as warm-up act for Trump at the convention.
“We just arrived in Milwaukee to support our tried and true, red, white and blue, 100 per cent badass president,” he announced to his fans on social media. “Are you scared?”
Trump’s favourite singer Lee Greenwood appeared on Monday, with the five-time Grammy winner singing God Bless the USA before introducing Trump.
He told local press he changed his schedule to appear in Milwaukee after Saturday’s assassination attempt.
“We were not supposed to be here on Monday. After the assassination attempt, Trump changed his demeanour.
“That’s why [the first night] was so powerful and emotional because he made the appearance, his favourite singer was here to sing for him, and I did the song that everyone knows I was going to sing,” Greenwood said.
Country singer Chris Janson, who first performed his song Trump Yeah at the RNC in 2016, returned to the stage on Monday night.
The first person to greet Trump in the VIP box on Monday was former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who spoke on Thursday.
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