The Republican National Convention kicks off this Monday in the North American city of Milwaukee, and its main event will be the official nomination of Donald Trump for the White House, two days after the tycoon was assassinated.
Donald Trump was assassinated Saturday night during a rally in Pennsylvania, drawing widespread condemnation from world leaders.
With a shot to the ear, the former president was removed from the stage where he was holding his final rally before the Republican National Convention, where he will be formally named the party’s nominee for the White House in November and where he also made the announcement expected of the party’s vice presidential nominee.
Despite the attack, the former president’s campaign and members of the Republican National Committee said in a joint statement that Trump would continue to attend the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
According to the organization, “more than 50,000 guests are expected in Milwaukee over the four days of the convention, including delegates who will nominate the next president and vice president of the United States.”
In practice, delegates nominated during Republican primaries in all North American states and territories must endorse and formally appoint the duo who will compete on the ballot scheduled for November 5.
The Republican tycoon won a majority of delegates in the primary earlier this year, so his nomination in Milwaukee is guaranteed and considered a formality.
In this sense, Donald Trump is expected to accept the nomination in his speech on July 18, the final night of the convention.
Despite the confidence in Trump’s nomination, it is not yet known who the former president’s “number two” will be, but possible candidates include Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, as well as Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
Trump is expected to choose his vice presidential nominee today, July 15, who will in turn address the convention on July 17.
Donald Trump arrives at this year’s convention with a united Republican Party, unlike his Democratic rivals, who are facing huge internal turmoil over the viability of incumbent President Joe Biden.
Groups of protesters will not be allowed into the Secret Service-established security zone around the convention arena, but will try to get as close as possible to attract media attention.
Principles First, which bills itself as a national grassroots movement of pro-democracy and anti-Trump conservatives, will hold a rally Wednesday that will include former Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele.
The Democratic National Committee will also hold events in Milwaukee, promising daily press conferences and counter-programs to the Republican National Convention in an attempt to reach voters in the Democratic-dominated city.