The Republican national convention culminates tonight in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with Donald Trump expected to accept his party’s nomination for president.
JD Vance, announced earlier in the week as Trump’s running mate, gave a speech speech Wednesday night that was a deliberate, and at times divisive, pitch to re-elect Trump in November. Vance’s speech presented the Republican party as a champion of working-class Americans while denouncing Democrats as out of touch and ineffective
Each day of the convention has a specific Maga-inspired theme – Thursday’s theme is “Make America great once again”.
Who is speaking at the RNC day four?
Republicans released the schedule for the final day of their national convention. Here are the confirmed speakers and expected times:
5:30-6 p.m.
Montana senator Steve Daines
North Carolina’s Republican Richard Hudson, Chair of National Republican Congressional Committee
6-6:30 p.m.
Diane Hendricks, everyday American
Diane Evans, everyday American
Linda McMahon, former Administrator of Small Business Administration
Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State
6:30-7 p.m.
Pastor Lorenzo Sewell
John Nieporte, everyday American
Steve and Zach Witkoff
7-7:30 p.m.
Alina Habba, attorney for Trump
Tucker Carlson, former anchor on Fox News and founder of Tucker Carlson Network
7:30-8 p.m.
Carrie Ruiz, everyday American
Hulk Hogan, professional entertainer and wrestler
Annette Albright, everyday American
8-9 p.m.
Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Eric Trump, eldest son of Donald Trump
Dana White, CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship
9-10:30 p.m.
Former president Donald Trump
What happened on day three of the convention?
The convention’s official theme on Wednesday was “Make America Strong Once Again”.
In his speech, Vance presented the Republican party as a champion of working-class Americans while denouncing Democrats as out of touch and ineffective. The populist-tinged rhetoric offered the latest sign of how Trump has reshaped the Republican party and rejected much of the traditional conservatism of its past.
Vance leaned into his own personal story, first shared in his bestselling and controversial memoir Hillbilly Elegy, to bolster his message.
Key takeaways from the RNC:
Day one: Trump makes his first appearance since surviving an attempted assassination and names JD Vance as his running mate
Day two: Republicans focused on the US Senate – and doubled down on attacks and false claims
Day three: JD Vance addressed an enamored audience that chanted his name
What is the point of the Republican national convention?
Officially, the main reason is for Republican party delegates to anoint Donald Trump as their party’s candidate for president.
But the convention is much more than that. It’s a chance to rally supporters, to bring in donations, to get television airtime, and also a chance for Republicans to just have a good time.
The convention started on Monday and runs until Thursday night, which is when Trump is expected to take the stage, accept the nomination, and speak to the crowd and TV cameras.
Where is the convention being held?
At Fiserv Forum, in downtown Milwaukee. The sprawling arena, home to the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team, opened in 2018. According to Fiserv Forum’s own website, the building is “designed to reflect the heritage, history and personality of Milwaukee”.
Fiserv was due to host the 2020 Democratic convention, but Covid-19 meant that event was drastically downsized and moved elsewhere. It’s no coincidence that both parties have sought to hold their flagship events here in recent years: Wisconsin is an important swing state that Biden won by just 20,000 votes four years ago, and it is expected to play a key role in November.
On Monday, about a thousand people led a spirited demonstration against Trump and his party on the streets outside the convention. The coalition of progressive groups marched through downtown Milwaukee, stopping traffic and chanting “Free Palestine” as they walked.
“Today is about telling the Republicans that they’re not welcome in our city, they’re not welcome anywhere and anywhere they show up, we’re going to show the opposition to their ideas,” said Omar Flores, co-chair of the Coalition to March on the RNC.
How does nominating Trump work?
About 2,500 delegates from 50 states and territories will cast their vote. Each state has a certain number of delegates based on its population, and Trump and his opponents won delegates through the Republican primaries. Trump needed 1,215 delegates to win, which he already has, but his nomination isn’t official until the delegates cast their vote at the convention.
Who will be at the convention?
About 50,000 people are expected to attend the convention across the four days. That includes the delegates, but also other supporters, elected officials and media.
Lara Trump, the ex-president’s daughter-in-law, has said “unlikely people” will speak at the convention, including celebrities. Given Trump has few celebrity backers – he has Kid Rock, Dennis Quaid and Dean Cain, a former actor who played Superman in the 1990s TV series Lois and Clark – it will be interesting to see who Lara Trump is talking about.
How can I follow it?
The Guardian will have live coverage every day, as well as pieces on key issues and performances. C-Span, the non-profit political broadcast service, will broadcast live, and live feeds are also expected to be available on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. News channels will cover plenty of the events too.
Follow Thursday’s live coverage as the Republican national convention enters fourth day.
When should I tune in for the Republican national convention?
Donald Trump will give his address on Thursday night. His son Donald Trump Jr and JD Vance will speak on Wednesday night.
Apart from nominating Trump, what else happens?
Each day has a theme based on the “Make America great again” slogan. Monday was “Make America wealthy once again”, Tuesday is “Make America safe once again”, Wednesday’s theme is about making America strong and Thursday’s comes full circle: “Make America great once again”.
There will be various speakers each day on the convention floor, and there are events elsewhere in Milwaukee. According to the convention calendar the European Union is holding a “Europe night” at the city’s Harley-Davidson museum, while the Heritage Foundation – which is behind Project 2025 – hosted a “policy fest” on Monday. There are also film screenings, pro-gun workshops and plenty of drinks events.
