RNC Preview: Security Concerns After Assassination Attempt, Trump Rewrites Speech, VP Pick Coming And More
The 2024 Republican National Convention kicks off Monday and is expected to officially nominate former President Donald Trump as the party's 2024 presidential candidate.
Here's a look at how security concerns have risen after an assassination attempt on Trump, the speakers scheduled for the RNC, and an update on Trump’s potential vice president pick.
Republican National Convention: Held every four years, the Republican National Convention officially nominates the party's candidate and has been held by the GOP since 1856.
The 2024 event runs from Monday, July 15 through Thursday, July 18 and is held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event takes place at Fiserv Forum, the home of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.
Coverage of the event will come from the Republican Party with livestreams planned on YouTube and X. Media networks will also cover special programming including primetime events and speeches.
Security Concerns: An assassination attempt on Trump on Saturday has increased security concerns for the key Republican event.
Secret Service and local law enforcement have said that there are no plans to change previously arranged security measures, NBC News reported.
"We're not anticipating any changes to our operational security plans for this event," Secret Service RNC coordinator Audrey Gibson-Cicchino said.
Gibson-Cicchino said security planning has been ongoing for 18 months.
FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate acknowledged there has been a rise in online threats of violence since the assassination attempt.
One item that could make security troublesome at the Fiserv Forum is Wisconsin's open-carry laws.
"We as a city cannot legislate out of that," Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said. "We have to operate within those guidelines."
Trump said over the weekend that the shooter could not be allowed "to force change to scheduling" for the RNC.
"We proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States," Trump's campaign and convention officials said in a joint statement.
Given potential increased security concerns at the Republican National Convention, the "Daily Show" has canceled plans for on-the-ground coverage in Milwaukee, as reported by Variety.
Instead, the Jon Stewart-hosted show will remain in New York City where they will cover the RNC. The show will not air on Monday and will return on Tuesday with coverage of the political event. Original plans called for several special broadcasts live in Milwaukee, including a live broadcast on Thursday.
The "Daily Show" airs on Comedy Central, a unit of Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA)(NASDAQ:PARAA).
Read Also: Trump Responds To Biden’s Call For Unity Following Assassination Attempt: ‘Unite America!’
Speaker Lineup: Over the four days of event programming, governors, members of Congress, political leaders, celebrities and candidates who previously ran against Trump are expected to speak to the crowd and rally support for the former president.
Among the highlighted speakers is Nikki Haley, who was the last remaining candidate in the race for the Republican nomination against Trump.
Haley is expected to speak at the RNC on Tuesday and call for support for Trump. Haley recently called into question the competency of President Joe Biden and shared her endorsement for Trump.
"Joe Biden is not competent to serve a second term and Kamala Harris would be a disaster for America. We need a president who will hold our enemies into account, secure our border, cut our debt, and get our economy back on track," Haley posted on X.
Haley released her delegates won in the 2024 election primaries and called for them to be voted for Trump.
Teamsters President Sean O'Brien will also address the attendees at the Republican National Convention. Having O'Brien speak could provide a counterpoint to Biden’s pro-union policies and his support from several major American unions.
"Our GREAT convention will unify Americans and demonstrate to the nation's working families they come first," Trump tweeted. "When I am back in the White House, the hard-working Teamsters, and all working Americans, will once again have a country they can afford to live in and be respected around the world."
Trump will deliver his address on Thursday in what is expected to be a victory speech after officially securing the Republican nomination.
After the assassination attempt on Trump, the former president said he has rewritten his speech to focus on unity instead of attacking President Biden.
"Had this not happened, this would've been one of the most incredible speeches," Trump told the Washington Examiner. "Honestly, it's going to be a whole different speech now."
Trump said his RNC speech is a "chance to bring the country together."
Vivek Ramaswamy and Ron DeSantis, who ran against Trump in the Republican presidential race, will also speak at the event.
Vice President Announcement: Another key of the 2024 Republican National Convention will be Trump officially selecting a vice president to join his election campaign. The person chosen to be the vice presidential nominee is expected to give a speech at the event on Wednesday.
Most reports see a three-way race for vice president between North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).
Prediction market Polymarket shows the three candidates above as the betting favorites, with the current odds:
- Burgum (Other Man): 47%
- J.D. Vance: 29%
- Marco Rubio: 12%
DJT Price Action: Trump Media & Technology (NASDAQ:DJT) shares are soaring on Monday in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Trump over the weekend. The stock, which represents the media company co-founded by Trump, has often been volatile around key political and personal events related to Trump.
The stock was already one to watch in the backdrop of the Republican National Convention, but could see even more volatility in the wake of the assassination attempt and Trump's odds to win the 2024 election increasing with sportsbooks and prediction markets.
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