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BREAKING: Trump arrives for Republican convention…
Former US President Donald Trump has arrived in Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention, a day 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, in which Trump was shot in the ear.
Trump posted on social media that he had 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 safety and security of the event, which begins on Monday at the arena that is home to the NBA Milwaukee Bucks basketball team.
But Audrey Gibson-Cicchino, RNC coordinator for the US Secret Service, said during a Sunday afternoon news conference in Milwaukee that there would be no changes to the security plan.
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.
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.
Getty ImagesBut 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 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.
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.
Getty ImagesWhat’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 sits at 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.
Getty ImagesAre any protests planned?
A demonstration, the Coalition to March on the RNC, is scheduled for noon local time on Monday.
Organisers say they expect 5,000 protesters, with backing from 125 liberal activist groups around the country.
Omar Flores, co-chair of the coalition, said on Friday: “Join us to fight against the Republicans’ racist and reactionary agenda, to stand with Palestine; to defend women’s, LGBTQ and reproductive rights; to defend and expand immigrant rights and to advocate for peace, justice and equity.”
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the city would ensure public safety is tantamount this week.