Who are the speakers at the 2024 Republican National Convention?

November’s presidential elections are edging ever closer and as the race for the White House gathers even more pace, we are all set for the Republican and Democratic national conventions. On Monday, July 15, the 2024 RNC gets going in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and concludes on Friday 18. Here the party will confirm its presidential and vice presidential candidates, with former Oval Office dweller Donald Trump the clear front runner to lead the party again, and on the back of a failed assassination attempt just two days before the event begins.

For those unclear, political parties in the United States hold national conventions to finalise the process of selecting candidates for the presidential ticket. Around a month after the Republicans, the Democrats will hold their own convention (in Chicago, August 19-22), where – at least at the time of writing – Joe Biden is expected to be confirmed.

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Meet the RNC 2024 speakers

At the ceremony, party delegates from the 50 states and six territories of the United States will officially select the candidates. It’s worth remembering that Trump is yet to announce his running mate so, as well as the increase in attention from the weekend attempt on his life, finding out who will be handed the role that Mike Pence held in Trump’s previous administration is of huge interest. Whoever it is, they are slated to address the convention on July 17.

Although the full detailed schedule remains under wraps, several notable figures have been announced as speakers at the event.

Leading the charge, predictably, is Donald Trump Jr. The former president’s son, known for his fiery rhetoric and staunch defence of his father’s policies, will set the stage directly ahead of the main event, when daddy steps up, no doubt to deafening chants and cheers as he delivers his acceptance speech on July 18.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who ran against Trump for the nomination and is a favourite in many conservative circles, will also take to the podium. Known for his bold stances and combative style, DeSantis’s speech is expected to galvanise the base with his vision for the future of the party.

The president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a labour union in the United States and Canada, Sean O’Brien is also expected to speak. His inclusion shows the GOP’s attempt to broaden its appeal to working-class voters. Then there’s the celebrity touch, with UFC President Dana White and model Amber Rose on the roster, both very much part of the MAGA clan.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Indiana Congressman Jim Banks, both known for their staunch conservative positions, will further solidify the convention’s focus on traditional Republican values and policies. The convention will also feature several everyday Americans whose lives have been impacted by what the GOP describes as President Biden’s “disastrous” policies. These include Michael Morin, brother of Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother of five who was tragically murdered by an illegal immigrant. Adding to the lineup are fraternity brothers from the University of North Carolina who gained viral fame for saving the American flag during an anti-Israel protest.

How do national conventions work?

National conventions serve as the crucial event where political parties finalise the selection of their candidates for the presidency and vice presidency. To secure a presidential nomination, a candidate must obtain a majority of delegates, a process that unfolds through state primaries and caucuses. The delegates’ votes at the national convention officially confirm this selection. The candidate who garners the majority becomes the party’s nominee for the presidential election.

In situations where no candidate achieves a majority of delegates during the primaries and caucuses, the convention delegates conduct additional voting rounds to decide on a nominee. After selecting the presidential candidate, they will announce their chosen vice-presidential running mate at the convention.

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Committed vs uncommitted delegates

According to usa.gov, there are two primary types of delegates at these conventions: committed and uncommitted. Committed delegates are obligated to support the candidate designated to them during the primary or caucus, whereas uncommitted delegates have the freedom to choose their preferred candidate. Most delegates at both parties’ conventions are committed and only they participate in the initial voting round. This structure significantly minimises the likelihood of a candidate other than the presumptive nominee being selected.