The Republican Party kicked off their national convention Monday following a dramatic attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, PA. Republicans from across the country started arriving in Milwaukee, WI last week to prepare for the multi-day event, culminating in the official nomination of Trump as the Party’s nominee on Thursday.
Rumors that the Republicans’ convention would be delayed due to Saturday’s events were put to rest by Trump himself late this weekend, promising the convention will proceed as planned.
You can watch a live stream of the main of the 2024 RNC on X.
We are LIVE! #RNC2024 https://t.co/lvd2IZm5vG
— GOP (@GOP) July 15, 2024
Opening the convention on Monday was, of course, a North Carolinian. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, a native of Gaston County and prior chairman of the Republican Party of North Carolina kicked things off in Milwaukee with pledges of allegiance, the national anthem, and ‘God Bless the USA.’
Whatley previously told Carolina Journal the national convention was like “hosting the Super Bowl.” That was before the sheer scale of the convention took a big step up within the context of the shooting in Pennsylvania and the anticipated security requirements.
Following the opening of the convention, chants of “Fight! Fight! Fight!” rang out from the crowd of delegates, alternates, and guests. It’s a nod to Trump’s cry to the crowd on Saturday, as he was ushered, bloodied, off the stage following a bullet grazing his head. The fallout from the attempted assassination will undoubtedly reverberate until the official nomination on Thursday.
But politicos won’t have to wait until the end of the week for something substantial to consider. Political markets have been taking bets on who Trump will pick as a running mate for months, but the wait is over — reports indicate Trump’s VP announcement will be made Monday.
A short list has been passed around by political media for weeks, including names like South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, Ohio Senator JD Vance, or Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
USA TODAY reported that the schedule calls for a vice presidential nomination shortly after 3:30 pm, local time.
The Republicans will also handle official business at the convention, like approving changes to the platform. This is where the rubber meets the road for delegates from North Carolina, who, selected at the NCGOP State Convention earlier this year, travelled to Milwaukee to represent the Republicans of the Tar Heel State.
Watch for the vice presidential announcement and stream RNC speeches here.