Republican Party Pushes for Trump to Speak at RNC from Any Location

Republican officials are reportedly ensuring that former President Donald Trump has the option to address the Republican National Convention in July, whether from a location of his choosing or from where he may be required to stay by law.

There is speculation that Trump could face home confinement following his felony fraud conviction in New York, as per a report by NBC News reported.

Preparations are being made at Trump’s residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, and in Milwaukee, the host city of the convention, in case Trump opts to participate remotely or is unable to attend, according to sources cited by NBC News.

However, Brian Hughes, the campaign’s senior adviser, stated to NBC News that “at no time has convention planning involved any option other than President Trump attending in person to accept his formal nomination as president.”

Trump may face penalties such as fines, probation, or incarceration, and has expressed to NBC News that he is “OK” with the possibility of serving jail time or being under house arrest.

Should house arrest become a reality, the RNC is organizing convention-themed staging at Mar-a-Lago, along with a large screen at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, where most convention events will occur, as reported by NBC News.

“This will provide President Trump with the opportunity to participate in more convention days if he so chooses,” a source mentioned.

RNC chair Michael Whatley described the event staging as “the centerpiece of a world-class production and a historic experience,” and stated: “Combining technological innovation and artistic vision, our dynamic stage design will be at the heart of a historic Republican National Convention.”

One source informed NBC News that the concept of Trump being under house arrest was not discussed during a visit to the convention site, and it is possible that Trump could decide to hold convention-related events from Mar-a-Lago.

“As with every convention, there are components related to the nominee both inside and outside the convention hall,” Hughes clarified to NBC News. “This convention will certainly incorporate these components for President Trump.”

During a meeting with lawmakers in Washington D.C. on Thursday, Trump reportedly criticized Milwaukee as “a horrible city” and stated it was plagued by crime, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

His campaign declined to comment on how participating remotely in some or all of the convention would impact the timing of Trump’s announcement regarding a VP running mate.