Trump to speak Thursday - what to expect at Republican convention
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Former US President Donald Trump announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running-mate Monday afternoon, one day after arriving in Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention and two days after surviving an assassination attempt.
The party conference in Milwaukee is going ahead as planned despite Saturday evening’s shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania where Trump was shot in the ear.
Trump posted on social media that he considered delaying his trip by two days, “but have just decided that I cannot allow a 'shooter,' or potential assassin, to force change to scheduling, or anything else”.
The attack on the candidate has put a heightened focus on the event's safety and security.
But Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, RNC coordinator for the US Secret Service, said Sunday that there would be no changes to the security plan.
The convention, which began on Monday, is being held at the home of the Milwaukee Bucks, an NBA basketball team.
Some 50,000 people are expected to attend the four-day jamboree of pageantry, politics and policy as the party makes its case to voters ahead of November’s general election.
LIVE: All the latest developments after assassination attempt on Trump
MORE: Secret Service faces questions after Trump assassination attempt
What is the Republican National Convention?
Once every four years each of the two main US parties hosts a convention to formally select their respective White House standard-bearer and prepare for the final stretch of campaigning.
The conferences include high-profile speakers, as well as a prime-time speech from the presidential candidate.
During the convention, the delegates from each state pledge their support to the candidate of their choice and approve a platform.
It is merely a formality for Trump as the party's presumptive nominee because he won 2,265 delegates in the primaries, which is enough for the nomination.
The Democrats will hold their convention next month in Chicago.
Who's on the list of speakers?
Trump is not expected to speak until Thursday night.
One of the biggest moments of the conference came Monday when he announced Mr Vance as his running mate.
Donald Trump Jr, the former president's son, is expected to speak on Wednesday.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, one of Trump’s fiercest rivals during the Republican primary, was originally expected to skip the RNC.
But after the assassination attempt, it was reported that she will now not only attend but speak at the conference.
Other speakers reportedly include Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia congresswoman, Arizona Senate contender Kari Lake, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Dana White, head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Teamsters union general president Sean O'Brien.
RNC co-chair Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of the former president, said celebrities will also be among the speakers.
Amber Rose, model, reality star and former girlfriend of Kanye West, is expected to address the crowd.
But former stalwarts of the Republican Party establishment, such George W Bush, Mike Pence and Mitt Romney, are not on the guest list.
What's on the RNC platform?
Monday's theme will be "Make America Wealthy Once Again", Tuesday will be "Make America Safe Again", Wednesday is "Make America Strong Again" and Thursday is "Make America Great Once Again".
The party platform this year is 16 pages.
Some themes of Project 2025, a much longer think-tank proposal, are also likely to come up during the convention.
Project 2025 - from which Trump has distanced himself - calls for expanding presidential powers, eliminating thousands of civil servant posts, tax cuts and dismantling the Department of Education.
Will Melania Trump be at the RNC?
Former first lady Melania Trump, who rarely makes public appearances, will attend the convention, according to US media.
Mrs Trump did not attend the 27 June debate between President Joe Biden and Trump. Neither did she attend her husband’s hush-money trial earlier this year.
While the former first lady has held Republican fundraisers in the past year, this would be her first major appearance of this election cycle.
Are any protests planned?
The Coalition to March hosted a demonstration Monday afternoon near the site of the convention.
Organisers said they expected 5,000 protestors but the crowd turned out smaller.
Karen Allington, a retired 64-year-old who attended Monday's protest, told the BBC she's worried about Trump’s agenda, which she says is fuelling political division.
"We want to be out here doing something positive," she said. "I’m not sure the delegates will listen, but we want our voices heard."
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the city would ensure public safety is paramount this week.
“A national special security event is the highest designation that you can get for a security event of its size and magnitude in the United States,” Mayor Johnson said.
How can I follow the RNC?
You can follow the latest news, including live pages, at bbc.com/news.
The BBC News TV channel will broadcast Trump's speech live on Thursday and bring you reaction and analysis afterwards.
And you can also watch on the RNC website.
