Donald Trump is preparing for a scenario in which he may not attend the Republican National Convention, a decision influenced in part by the possibility that he may be sentenced to house arrest afterward. his historic conviction late last month.
Preparations are underway both at his Florida home at Mar-a-Lago and in Milwaukee, where the convention will be held next month, should Trump choose to speak remotely or be unable to attend, according to two familiar sources. with planning.
“Together with the RNC, the campaign is planning an amazing convention program that will highlight the party and formally establish President Trump’s candidacy,” senior adviser Brian Hughes told NBC News. “President Trump will be introduced as an active part of this official event and celebration of our road to victory in November.”
Hughes sent an additional statement after Thursday’s story, saying, “At no time has congressional planning included any option but to accept President Trump’s official nomination for president.”
New York jury He found Trump guilty on 34 counts The falsification of business records related to a hush money payment to an adult film star during the 2016 campaign. His sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention. He turns away fine, probation, or up to four years in prison according to the account; legal experts are mixed on what sentence he should face, but house arrest remains an option.
There is Trump “good” he said with the idea that he could face jail or house arrest.
In the event of a potential house arrest, the Republican National Committee is already setting up convention-themed staging at Mar-a-Lago and a massive screen at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, where most convention events will be held.
“If you look at the coverage of the scene at our convention, it’s going to be the most high-tech stage ever,” said a Republican operative who toured the convention floor. “This will allow the campaign to be projected into the hall to people who are not in Milwaukee.
“This will allow President Trump to attend more days of the convention if he chooses,” he said.
The RNC put stage construction front and center, holds a press conference Chairman Michael Whatley called it “the centerpiece of a world-class production and historic experience”.
“Synthesizing technological innovation and artistic vision, our dynamic stage design will be at the heart of the historic Republican National Convention,” Whatley said in a release last week.
A Republican operative looking at the congressional website said the idea of Trump being under house arrest was not discussed during the Milwaukee trips, and told people there was a chance Trump could choose to hold convention-related events from Mar-a-Lago. .
A Trump campaign official confirmed to NBC News that the idea that he might be under house arrest for the convention is part of the planning process.
Asked for comment, Hughes said, “As with any convention, there are components outside the convention hall and inside the convention hall where the candidate is involved. “This convention will certainly contain these components for President Trump.”
Trump has repeatedly said he is waiting until next month to announce his vice presidential nominee. like last week plans to do so at the congress. His campaign declined to comment on how the timing and scheduling would be affected by some or all of the major event being remote.
A week before the convention, when Trump was sentenced, legal experts This was reported by NBC News it is likely that he will ask for a stay of sentence when he appeals. If a trial judge or an appellate judge grants the request, Trump will likely be able to continue moving freely as he has while awaiting trial.
If the sentence affects his ability to attend the convention, he will be the first major party candidate in recent memory to not attend the party’s convention, the event that marks the formal acceptance of a candidate’s nomination and accompanying speech.
“My friends, representatives, and fellow citizens: I humbly and gratefully accept your candidacy for the presidency of the United States,” Trump said during a speech in Cleveland in 2016.
Trump spoke in person during the shortened 2020 Republican convention in Jacksonville, Florida, which came together after Republicans pushed for an in-person convention amid the coronavirus pandemic. The convention was originally supposed to be held in North Carolina, but it was moved after Democratic governor Roy Cooper refused to allow a fully attended convention.