Trump family to make case for four more years at RNC
The Republican Party will officially nominate Donald Trump for re-election as president on Monday and kick off a four-day celebration, mostly virtual, that will bring together a “who’s who” of his most adamant supporters from his first term.
The slate of speakers on the main stage of the Republican National Convention — whose words of support for the president will be consumed by most GOP officials across the country from at home and not in person in Charlotte, N.C. — will include top administration officials, some of his biggest advocates on Capitol Hill and several members of Mr. Trump’s family.
Only six delegates from each state will physically attend the convention, which — like the Democrats’ coronation of Joe Biden last week — has been moved mostly online because of COVID-19’s impact on large social gatherings.
Scott Avolio, a Westmoreland County lawyer and first-time RNC delegate, said he was asked to give his vote to one of the six delegates from Pennsylvania, who will gather Monday in a roll call to renominate Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
“At this point, I likely will just watch it as a normal, interested American,” Mr. Avolio said of the convention’s programming.
On Monday, Americans will hear from Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.; Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio; and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, as well as Mr. Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr., according to the Trump campaign.
Also taking the stage on the first night will be Sean Parnell, the GOP nominee for Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District who is seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon.
Tuesday’s programming will include speeches from first lady Melania Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. Two other Trump children, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump, will also speak.
Mr. Pence will headline Wednesday’s slate, which also features second lady Karen Pence and Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Joni Ernst of Iowa.
And on Thursday, Mr. Trump will give his official pitch for re-election, preceded by appearances from Ben Carson, the Housing and Urban Development secretary; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky; Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas; House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California; and Mr. Trump’s elder daughter and senior Ivanka Trump.
But the president’s presence will loom large over the four-day event. Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, said on Fox Business Network that Mr. Trump “will be part of our convention every night.”
Mr. Avolio, a Trump supporter, said he would like to hear the president talk about his plan for a post-pandemic United States, while not losing sight of the fact that America is a nation in recovery.
But in talks of what he desires from the president’s address, Mr. Avolio didn’t mention Mr. Biden by name, saying he doesn’t need to hear an address focused on Mr. Trump’s opponent.
“Do I expect Donald Trump to do that? I don’t know that he can hold himself back,” Mr. Avolio said with a chuckle. adviser,