Live coverage: Donald Trump rallies supporters at his Doral golf resort

The Republican National Convention is just days away. Donald Trump’s announcement about who he’ll choose for a running mate is imminent. President Joe Biden is facing calls from his own party to bow out of the race.

Amid all that tension, Trump is headed to his Doral golf resort on Tuesday to rally political supporters.

It’s an all-day affair. Doors opened at 2 p.m. and the president is scheduled to speak at 7. We’ll keep you posted on the day’s events here. (Check back for updates.)

‘It doesn’t matter who they nominate’

Comfortable and confident, Trump spoke until after 9 p.m. Tuesday night, riffing on Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and joking about the speculation that he’ll choose U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio as his running mate. Read more about his speech here.

‘We are the largest minority in the country’

At one point Tuesday night, Trump called on Cubans and Venezuelans to cheer, highlighting the level of support he carries among exile communities in South Florida. Before he spoke, U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar called on Hispanic voters to use their growing weight at the ballot box to back Trump.

Rubio for VP chatter

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Cabrera isn’t expecting Trump to announce his running-mate pick during the rally, but he still has a personal pick for who he would like to see on the ballot.

“I think Marco Rubio would be the best candidate for vice president,” Cabrera told the Miami Herald on the sidelines of the rally at Trump’s Doral golf club. “And it’s not just because I’m biased and he’s my home state senator, but because I think he’s the most qualified person. He’s qualified to be president on day one. He’s ready to go.”

Trump is said to be nearing a final decision on his running mate and is expected to announce his pick sometime in the next six days before the Republican National Convention kicks off in Milwaukee Monday. Rubio is seen as a top choice, as are U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Cabrera, who served as the Florida state director for Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign, said choosing Rubio could help solidify Trump’s already-growing support among Hispanic voters, not just in Florida, but nationwide.

If tapped to run with Trump, Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants and a Miami native, would be the first Hispanic vice presidential candidate on a major party’s ticket.

“He’s the only vice presidential pick who can speak in their native language to Hispanics,” Cabrera said. “It could make the difference come November.”

Talk of Biden staying in the race

Some Republicans at the rally want Biden to stay in the presidential race. Others aren’t sure.

Greg Reed, 51, drove about five hours from New Port Richey to the Doral golf course to attend the rally. He’s confident Trump will win the November election. Still, he wants Biden to stay in the race.

“I want him to stay,” Reed said. “It’s an easy win for us, but no matter who they bring in, I don’t think anybody stands a chance. There is nobody.”

As a member of the Front Row Joes, a group of Trump supporters, this is his 37th rally and he plans on attending more.

After watching the first presidential debate, Joey Guns, 50, thinks Trump’s chances of winning increased.

“His chances are great, he’s always been great,” Guns said.

Samantha Hajicek, 30, isn’t sure if she would like to see Biden drop from the race, she said. But she would not change her support for Trump even if there is another Democrat on the ballot.

“It depends on how that affects Trump’s odds of winning,” the Cape Coral resident said.

TAKE A LOOK: Photos: Trump supporters flood the former president’s Doral resort for campaign rally

Who’s on the guest list

Along with Trump supporters, several Florida Republican lawmakers and Trump family members are expected to be in attendance.

Probably the most notable potential attendee is Rubio, according to Politico. The senator’s attendance is only fueling rumors of potentially being Trump’s vice president pick.

Sen. Rick Scott, Rep. Carlos Gimenez, state Rep. Randy Fine and more are planning to be at the Doral rally.

Most of the Trump family will be sitting front and center, including Donald Trump Jr., Barron Trump, Eric Trump and more.

Democrats troll Trump ahead of rally

Trump supporters coming to the event off the Palmetto Expressway may notice billboards erected by the Democratic National Committee linking the former president to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 Presidential Transition Project, a nearly-900-page conservative policy and personnel guide to retaking the White House. Read about it here.

What to know

Trump supporters interested in watching a live stream or requesting last-minute tickets can find everything they need to know here.

Trump traffic

Tuesday’s rally will be at Trump National Doral Miami, located at 4400 NW 87th Ave., near the center of a city known for snarling rush-hour traffic. Learn more about how police are managing congestion here.