Trump to speak on both nights of Republican midterm convention amid turnout concerns
The US president was originally set to close out the event but will now also take the stage the first night to ‘set the tone’
US President Donald Trump will now speak on both nights of the Republican Party’s unusual midterm convention next week, a party official said on Wednesday, an expanded role that will compete for viewers with the start of the NFL season.
Trump had originally been scheduled to deliver an address on Thursday to close out the September 9-10 convention in Dallas, but now will deliver the keynote speech on Wednesday and speak after US Vice-President J.D. Vance on Thursday evening as well, the party official said on condition of anonymity.
“President Trump wants to set the tone for the entire convention,” the party official said, explaining why Trump was now going to speak on the first night.
The change comes as some party insiders have said they are concerned the Republican National Committee may struggle to attract members and activists to the event.