Bitcoin2024 security reevaluated for ex-President Donald Trump's speech in Nashville
Former President Donald Trump will make his way to Nashville next weekend for the Bitcoin2024 conference, in one of his first appearances since GOP lawmakers and delegates officially selected him as the Republican presidential nominee at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis.
The appearance comes exactly two weeks after an attempted assassination attempt at Trump's Butler, Pa., campaign rally.
A Bitcoin2024 spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that Trump still plans to headline what conference officials call "the world's largest gathering of bitcoiners."
Trump's campaign is also selling pricey tickets for a "VIP reception" following the event, as first reported by Bloomberg Thursday. For $844,600, donors can attend the reception, take a photo with Trump and participate in an exclusive roundtable. A ticket just for the photo op and reception costs $60,000 per person or $100,000 per couple, according to the Trump 47 Committee.
His speech will be made in person at Music City Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 27. Bitcoin2024 officials anticipate additional security accommodations at the event "given the circumstances."
Bitcoin2024 announced on social media that Trump would be in attendance just days before he was injured in an attempted assassination at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13. In the days that followed, it was unclear whether the trip to Nashville would remain on his schedule or if he would give his speech in a virtual appearance.
"Prior to Saturday’s events in PA, our security and production teams were already working closely with the Secret Service to incorporate additional measures for President Trump’s attendance in Nashville," Bitcoin2024 spokesperson Kristyna Mazankova said in a statement.
A U.S. Secret Service spokesperson said the agency would not provide any details regarding security plans for Trump's Nashville appearance.
"The safety and security of our protectees is the U.S. Secret Service’s top priority," the spokesperson told The Tennessean. "Out of concern for operational security, the Secret Service does not discuss the means and methods used for our protective operations."
The Metro Nashville Police Department referred all requests about security at the event to the U.S. Secret Service, and Music City Center President Charles Starks said he did not have any information to share about venue security at this time.
This is the country's largest Bitcoin conference, and for the last three years, Nashville-based BTC Media has hosted the event in Miami Beach, Florida. This year, the group decided to bring the conference to its home base.
Other notable speakers on the conference schedule include independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., exiled former CIA and NSA employee Edward Snowden, comedian Russell Brand and Tennessee politicians like Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Sen. Bill Hagerty.
"Our vision is to leverage our influence and community to bring Bitcoin to as many cities as possible in the future. The conference serves as a premier platform for discussing all aspects of the Bitcoin industry," BTC Media Chief of Staff Brandon Green said in a statement. "We are excited about the diverse and comprehensive discussions that will take place and look forward to welcoming you to Nashville."
Hadley Hitson covers trending business, dining and health care for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean.