Republican Convention Launched With Trump’s Nomination in Charlotte
By • August 24, 2020 0 611
It took less than two hours for some 400 Republican delegates meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, this morning, Aug. 24, to nominate President Donald Trump as their presidential candidate for the 2020 national election on Nov. 3. The next four evenings, Monday through Thursday, will be devoted to mostly virtual convention events focused on celebrating the homeland — with the finale in Washington, D.C.
According to the Republican National Committee, tonight’s theme will be “Land of Promise.” Featured speakers will include former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trump campaign fundraiser Kimberly Guilfoyle and St. Louis home defenders Mark and Patricia McCloskey. Legislators Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio will speak, as will legislative hopefuls Kim Klacik, a candidate in Maryland’s 7th District, and Sean Parnell, a candidate in Pennsylvania’s 17th District. Donald Trump Jr. will be the featured family member.
Tomorrow night, Aug. 25, first lady Melania Trump will speak from the newly renovated White House Rose Garden. The evening’s theme is “Land of Opportunity.” Among other speakers will be Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez will be featured, along with Attorneys General Daniel Cameron of Kentucky and Pam Bondi of Florida. Eric and Tiffany Trump are the family members to speak on Tuesday.
Republicans will celebrate the “Land of Heroes” at the convention on Wednesday night, led by Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence, Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa. Also speaking will be Elise Stefanik and Lee Zeldin, both representatives from New York, and Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas. Other officials to speak on Wednesday include former Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell and White House counselor Kellyanne Conway. Pence will deliver his convention address from Fort McHenry in Baltimore.
Non-Republcan officials “taking the stage” on Aug. 26 will include former NFL player Jack Brewer; Sister Dede Byrne, M.D.; Scott Dane, executive director of Associated Contract Loggers & Truckers of Minnesota; civil rights activist Clarence Henderson; New Mexico police officer Ryan Holets; and National Association of Police Organizations President Michael McHale. Trump campaign senior adviser Lara Trump will be the family member to speak on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, before President Trump delivers his nomination speech in the late evening, administration officials who will speak include Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump. Top Republican legislators to appear will include Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey. Fireworks over the Washington Monument will follow.
This will be the first time the executive mansion has been used for a political convention. President Trump will deliver his speech from the White House’s South Lawn, where a stage was being constructed over the weekend. The renovations to the rose garden were not strictly botanical, involving a number of audiovisual and broadcast-related upgrades.
Other G.O.P. hot spots in D.C. this week will include the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, where some speeches will be made and, of course, the Trump Hotel.
