Update:
6:30 p.m. July 14, 2024: This story was updated reports that Nikki Haley has been added to the list of speakers.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson to speak at Republican National Convention
Nikki Haley added to list of convention speakers, which includes Gov. Greg Abbott and other notable Texas GOP officials.
The GOP released the list of speakers for next week’s Republican National Convention, and it includes Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.
The Republican National Convention opens Monday in Milwaukee. There will be the usual convention tasks throughout the four days. Delegates, almost 2,400 of them, must approve a platform and formally designate the presidential ticket: Donald Trump and his yet-to-be-named running mate.
On Saturday, the Trump campaign and the Republican National Convention’s Committee on Arrangements announced a list of headliners and keynote speakers. Texans on the list include U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz but not the senior senator from Texas, John Cornyn. Also on the list are U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson of Amarillo, Monica De La Cruz of McAllen, Wesley Hunt of Houston, Abbott and Johnson.
The Dallas mayor announced in September he was switching political parties, citing his disillusionment with Democrats and a desire to lead one of America’s largest cities under the Republican banner. He blamed Democratic policies for “exacerbated crime and homelessness.”
Johnson’s shift to the right positions him as the only Republican-identifying mayor of the top 10 largest cities in America. He was quickly welcomed into the GOP by the state’s top Republicans, including Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Clayton P. Henry, a Dallas-based GOP political consultant, said at the time he believed Johnson’s announcement could be a precursor to a move into national politics. If Trump wins the presidency, opportunities would open up for a host of political appointments for Republicans.
Who will Trump choose as a running mate?
The big question still remaining ahead of the convention is who will Trump choose as his vice presidential running mate. Trump has strung out his choice of running mate. The most-mentioned possibilities are North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance., all of whom are on the list of speakers.
“It’s like a highly sophisticated version of The Apprentice,” Trump said in a radio interview Friday afternoon, referring to the show he once hosted that featured him firing contestants on camera.
Trump has made clear in recent days that his preference is to dramatically reveal his pick live at the convention, which he said would make the proceedings more “interesting” and “exciting.”
“I’d love to do it during the convention ... or just slightly before the convention, like Monday,” he said in an interview Friday on The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show.
Nikki Haley added to list of speakers at RNC
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley will speak Tuesday at the Republican National Convention in what will be a highly anticipated speech by Trump’s last major challenger in this year’s GOP primary.
Haley initially was not among the list of speakers but has since been added to the schedule, according to Haley spokesperson Chaney Denton.
The schedule change was confirmed by a Republican official who is familiar with the convention plans but was not authorized to speak publicly.
Other notable national figures on the list to speak during the convention’s four days include former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, singer Lee Greenwood, rapper and model Amber Rose, evangelist Franklin Graham, former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and former U.S House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Melania Trump not expected to speak at RNC
Former first lady Melania Trump is not expected to speak at next week’s Republican National Convention. The former first lady will attend but does not appear on a list of headliners and keynote speakers released by convention organizers Saturday. Trump’s oldest sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, are on the list.
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is holding events in Milwaukee as well, promising daily news conferences, counterprogramming and voter outreach in the Democratic-dominated city. Democrats intend to highlight President Joe Biden’s accomplishments on the economy and juxtapose the president’s advocacy for democracy and international alliances with Trump’s criticism of NATO, praise of authoritarian leaders and quips about being a dictator on “day one.”
The Democratic National Committee is releasing highlights from a draft platform delegates will take up at the party’s convention next month in Chicago.
It seeks to illustrate contrasts between Biden and Trump.
Highlights include:
- Calls for a “negotiated two-state solution that ensures Israel’s future” and promises to strengthen NATO
- Proposals on gun safety, cutting subsidies to fossil fuel producers and affordable child care
- On immigration, it calls on Congress to approve legislation to “secure the border, reform the asylum system, expand legal immigration and keep families together.”
- Democrats also pledge support for “long-term” people in the country illegally, including those brought as children.
The Associated Press and Dallas Morning News staff reports.
