'The Daily Show' cancels Milwaukee shows, citing 'evolving situation' after assassination attempt

Chris Foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump Saturday, "The Daily Show" canceled its plans to come to Milwaukee for the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

The Comedy Central news/satire show had planned to bring most of its crew to Milwaukee to do shows Monday through Thursday, taped in front of an audience at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. The week of shows was to be capped by a show, with Jon Stewart as host, to be taped live immediately following Trump's expected acceptance speech Thursday night.

Live updates: Trump to arrive in Milwaukee Sunday afternoon

But on Sunday, "The Daily Show" sent ticketholders an email saying it was off and canceling their tickets.

"Our apologies for the inconvenience, but due to logistical issues and the evolving situation in Milwaukee, we will not broadcast from Wisconsin this week," the email read.

Sunday afternoon, crews could be seen taking equipment from the Marcus Center and loading it on trucks outside the building.

Crews load equipment into a trailer outside the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee Sunday, July 14, 2024. "The Daily Show," which had set up a production center at the venue for planned shows during the Republican National Convention, canceled those shows Sunday.
Crews load equipment into a trailer outside the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee Sunday, July 14, 2024. "The Daily Show," which had set up a production center at the venue for planned shows during the Republican National Convention, canceled those shows Sunday.

The show also posted on its social media accounts that Monday's planned show was canceled altogether, and the shows Tuesday through Thursday would be taped at "The Daily Show's" New York City studio.

"The Daily Show will not broadcast Monday (tomorrow), but we'll be back up Tuesday through Thursday from our NYC studio," the posts read. "Our apologies for the inconvenience, but due to logistical issues and the evolving situation in Milwaukee, we need to reschedule our events on the ground in Wisconsin and will look to make those up in the coming weeks."

"The Daily Show" also canceled "Indogcision 2024," an event combining voter registration and pet adoption that had been planned for Cathedral Square Park on Sunday.

Variety reported Sunday that seats for the "Daily Show" tapings, where the show was expecting 1,500 people a night, had been sold out.

In a statement Sunday afternoon, Marcus Performing Arts Center President and CEO Kevin Giglinto said:

"In light of the incredibly shocking and sad events that took place yesterday in Pennsylvania, 'The Daily Show' will not broadcast from the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention, July 15-18. While we were looking forward to hosting The Daily Show, we support and stand by their decision. … We apologize for this unexpected change, and we thank you for your understanding."

With "The Daily Show" quitting the Marcus Center, the Marcus Center said its box office will be open regular hours Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but only by phone: 414-273-7206. Ticket windows at the venue will be closed.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'The Daily Show' cancels Milwaukee shows after assassination attempt

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