The G.O.P. presidential nominee reportedly struggled to find many people to speak on his behalf, however, which is perhaps why the supposed lineup was only leaked late Wednesday night, with just days to go until the convention officially kicks off Monday.
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Absent are other unsuccessful 2016 candidates Ohio Governor John Kasich, whose state is hosting the Cleveland convention, and Jeb Bush. Trump’s Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, has always been criticized by Republicans in the deadly 2012 attack that occurred in Libya when Clinton was secretary of state.
A number of high-profile Republicans who have criticized Trump plan to skip the convention, but scheduled speakers do include lawmakers like House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Both Cuccinelli and Lee could try to pave the way for an easier nominating process in 2020, even one that favors this year’s second-place finisher, Ted Cruz. Since it became clear that Trump had secured enough delegates to win the nomination, there have been concerns about the potential for violent clashes between his supporters and groups in opposition during the convention. Also not expected to appear, in a sign of how Trump’s candidacy has divided Republicans: Bush’s father and brother, who are former USA presidents, and the party’s last presidential nominees, Mitt Romney and John McCain.
“We are totally over-booked”.
Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, and his adult children Eric, Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Tiffany are all slated to speak.
“It’s very important to put some showbiz into a convention, otherwise people are going to fall asleep”, he said, according to The Washington Post. “He encouraged me to look at myself as a brand and as a professional golfer with a huge platform to grow the game of golf, regardless of my gender”.
In recent weeks, his campaign’s wish list included Bobby Knight, the former Indiana University basketball coach whom Trump frequently credits for his Indiana primary victory; boxing promoter Don King; tennis champion Serena Williams; former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka; boxing champion Mike Tyson; and NASCAR CEO Brian France.
Actor Antonio Sabato, Jr., will speak, according to the committee.
The convention will highlight religious leaders such as Jerry Falwell Jr. and Haskel Lookstein, the NY rabbi who converted Trump’s daughter Ivanka to Judaism. Burns later told The Associated Press that he did not intend to insult Jews and the comment had “nothing to do” with Sanders’ Judaism.
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Before it’s here, it’s on the Bloomberg Terminal.
