GOP Picks Location for Trump's Convention Speech

Jacksonville, Florida
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 12, 2020 12:26 AM CDT
GOP Picks Location for Trump's RNC Speech
In this July 21, 2016, file photo, confetti and balloons fall during celebrations after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's acceptance speech on the final day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Jacksonville, Florida, has been selected to host the celebration marking President Trump’s acceptance of his party’s nomination for reelection, the Republican National Committee chairwoman said Thursday. Ronna McDaniel made the announcement a day after saying that Jacksonville was a front-runner to hold the event. The governor of North Carolina, the official host of this summer’s Republican National Convention, had balked at promising Trump a full-blown convention in Charlotte free from social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic. "We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous occasion in the great city of Jacksonville," McDaniel said, per the AP. "Not only does Florida hold a special place in President Trump’s heart as his home state, but it is crucial in the path to victory in 2020. We look forward to bringing this great celebration and economic boon to the Sunshine State in just a few short months."

McDaniel said the event would be held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, which holds 15,000 people. She said more details would be released in the coming weeks. The party’s more mundane business, including discussions over the platform, will still be held in Charlotte because of contractual obligations. The RNC had spent the last week scouting locations after North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper rejected Trump’s demand that the convention be allowed to take place Aug. 24-27 without social distancing measures. “Florida is honored to host this special event where we will celebrate the re-nomination of President Donald J. Trump,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said. “Jacksonville is a great city that will showcase Florida’s energy, facilities, entrepreneurship and commitment to bring together the delegates of the Republican Party at a historic time in our nation’s history.”

(More Republican National Convention stories.)

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