Topline
Here’s what to watch for when Republicans formally nominate former President Donald Trump for president for a third time at the party’s convention in Milwaukee, as they try to make the strongest case for a second Trump presidency. (Update: Trump has announced the full list of speakers.)
Key Facts
The convention is simply a formality as all 2,265 delegates Trump won in the primaries—plus the 97 former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley won—are obligated to cast their ballots for him.
Trump has repeatedly teased he will announce his running mate—widely expected to be between Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., or North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum—at the convention (his adviser Jason Miller told Fox & Friends this week the announcement would happen “by” Monday).
On Saturday, Trump released the full slate of speakers for the convention, with some surprises—Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-Ga.) but no Melania Trump—and a long list of his most fervent supporters.
When Is The Rnc, And Where Will It Air?
The convention runs Monday July 15-18. Major news networks will provide live coverage of the event in prime time. YouTube, X, Facebook Live, Rumble, Amazon Prime, Twitch and Direct TV and the RNC will live stream the events on their websites.
Will Melania Trump Be At The Rnc?
She’s expected to, according to multiple reports, but it’s unclear in what capacity. Melania Trump notably did not attend the June 27 debate between Biden and Trump or Trump’s Manhattan hush money trial, and she’s seldom appeared with him on the campaign trail this year.
Who Will Speak At The Rnc?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump Jr., Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, conservative media star Tucker Carlson, Arizona Republican Kari Lake and the rapper Amber Rose are among those who will speak at the event. Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann will formally nominate Trump on Monday afternoon, the Des Moines Register reported. Trump Jr. will speak Wednesday just before Trump’s vice presidential pick, Axios reported, and will likely introduce his father’s running mate. Burgum, Rubio and Vance are all expected to speak at some point. (Here’s the full list.)
Abortion May Be The Biggest Platform Change
The Republican party for the first time in 40 years is expected to drop its call for a national abortion ban from its party platform, in line with Trump’s stance that abortion policies should be left to the states to decide. The new platform also omits the statement that “traditional marriage” should be between “one man and one woman” and language that calls for a reduction of the national debt.
When Will Trump Address The Rnc?
The former president is expected to speak Thursday, on the final day of the event.
Why Is The Rnc In Milwaukee?
It’s the biggest city in a crucial swing state Biden won in 2020, though polls consistently show Trump winning Wisconsin this year. Republicans voted unanimously in August 2022 to host the event there. The majority of the convention events will take place at the Fiserv Arena, home of the Milwaukee Bucks, in downtown Milwaukee. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the event, which is closed to the general public.
Key Background
The convention will be a rare kumbaya moment for Republicans compared to the state of the Democratic party, which is deeply divided on whether Biden should continue his re-election bid following his disastrous debate performance. Trump has led Biden in most polls since the primaries began in January, and most post-debate surveys show he’s since widened his narrow lead. Trump, after clinching the nomination in March, merged his campaign with the Republican National Committee, which appointed his daughter-in-law Lara Trump and ally Michael Whately as co-chairs of the organization.
New Trump-Backed GOP Platform Drops 40-Year-Old Call For National Abortion Restrictions (Forbes)
Lara Trump And Michael Whatley Elected RNC Leaders As Trump Tightens Grip On Republicans (Forbes)
Biden Vs. Trump 2024 Election Polls: Biden Leads Trump In Latest Survey—But Most Post-Debate Polls Show Trump Winning (Forbes)
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