President Trump says he’s canceled the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, citing health concerns over the coronavirus and a need to protect the public.
What he’s saying: Trump made the announcement from the White House briefing room, saying he would still give a speech accepting the nomination “in a different form,” and that delegates still would convene in Charlotte, N.C., earlier that week as planned for party business. Trump claims he told his team “the timing for this event is not right, it’s just not right,” adding, “I have to protect the American people.”
Our thought bubble via Axios’ Jonathan Swan: In the wake of the Tulsa rally debacle, where many of Trump’s elderly supporters stayed away for fear of COVID-19, Trump’s aides have been urging him to publicly address their concerns.
- This has resulted in Trump belatedly encouraging the use of masks and now him pulling a stunning about-face and canceling a convention he ordered for the sole purpose of having a massive crowd without burdensome virus-related restrictions.
Between the lines: Trump forced the Republican National Committee to scramble to make Jacksonville work….
Note….
An increasing number of Republican lawmakers where NOT gonna show also….
Let’s see it’s safe to reopen schools ,indeed Trump ,most Republicans and the semi comedic Betsy Devos, are demanding it.
However, it is unsafe to hold the much ballyhooed “mobile l”Republican Convention?
Yes I think we all got that!
Really, do Republicans do anything but Lie?
Trump’s Convention Cancellation Costs Millions
“President Trump’s whipsaw decisions to first move the Republican National Convention’s in-person main events, then to cancel them are costing GOP donors millions of dollars,” NBC News reports.
“Of the $38 million raised by the host committee for the convention’s original location — Charlotte, North Carolina — the majority has been spent, the Republican officials said. The host committee in Jacksonville, Florida, where Trump had moved the convention, raised an additional $6 million, but GOP officials said much of that money remains.”
“Now, the president’s team is searching not only for a new stage from which he can deliver a speech accepting his party’s nomination for a second term, but also a way to appease Republicans who have nothing to show for their donations.”
New York Times: Inside Trump’s about-face on the Republican convention.
Washington Post: How the Republican Convention came undone.