Questions and answers: Trump before the election – This is what happens at the Republican convention

The circumstances surrounding Donald Trump’s big nomination could not be more dramatic. At the nominating convention in Milwaukee, the Republicans want to officially elect their top man as their presidential candidate for the election in November.

But an assassination attempt on Trump shocked the country shortly before the start – less than 48 hours before the meeting began: A man fired several shots at a campaign rally in the state of Pennsylvania. Trump was injured in the ear. A father who was at the event as a spectator died. Two participants survived with serious injuries.

Trump, who survived the attack with minor injuries, is now portraying himself more than ever as the strong man who cannot be stopped even by a gun attack. And his supporters are more united than ever in the feeling: now more than ever.

What is a nominating convention anyway?

After the party primaries in the individual states, both the Democrats and the Republicans must officially confirm their overall results at the national level. This happens at the respective nominating conventions. The Democrats meet for this in mid-August in Chicago, Illinois. The Republican nominating convention will take place this time from July 15 to 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Why Wisconsin?

It is no coincidence that the Republicans have chosen Wisconsin. It is a “swing state” that cannot be firmly assigned to either the Republicans or the Democrats. In the 2020 presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden only narrowly defeated Trump there. This time, too, the race is shaping up to be extremely close.

Many local politicians welcome nominating conventions, regardless of their party affiliation, because they bring economic benefits. The mayor of Milwaukee is a Democrat and actively sought the role of host. The Democratic nominating convention was supposed to take place there in 2020 – but the corona pandemic ruined all plans.

Starting today, more than 50,000 visitors are expected in Milwaukee, spending money on hotels, restaurants, transport and entertainment. It is a huge spectacle: the city, which has a population of around half a million, is in a state of emergency. The strict security concept was drawn up long before the Trump assassination. The main venues can only be reached with prior permission from the Secret Service. Metal detectors and sniffer dogs are used.

In addition to politicians, party members and press representatives, street vendors, onlookers and demonstrators also travel to the convention. But the most important guests at every nomination convention are the delegates.

What are delegates?

Delegates are party members who are sent to the nominating convention from all 50 states and six territories. Based on the primary election results, they choose their party’s presidential candidate. The system is inconsistent and extremely complex. The Republicans have around 2,400 delegates. To win the candidacy, a candidate must have secured at least 1,215 delegate votes. Trump already cleared this hurdle in March. In total, he is entitled to at least 2,265 delegate votes after the conclusion of the Republican primaries.

Do the delegates have to vote for Trump?

In theory, not all delegates have to follow the primary results. But since Trump clearly won against his competitors in almost every state and also enjoys strong loyalty, an internal party revolt is not expected. The formal nomination is scheduled for Monday. In Germany, a celebratory appearance of the newly elected candidate then follows on Friday night. As a grand finale, Trump will give his acceptance speech.

When will it be announced who will be vice president?

It is the question of all questions: Who will be Trump’s running mate? The Republican flirted with the vice presidential issue for months, but recently carefully avoided making too much noise to distract from the internal party chaos among the Democrats because of Biden’s age. The tension that has now been established is likely to be very much to Trump’s taste – after all, it was a reality show that once helped the entrepreneur to national fame. Entertainment is part of his understanding of politics. Media reports that his son Don Jr. will not introduce the vice president until Wednesday. In recent US history, the name was usually announced shortly before the nominating convention.

What’s next?

At the meeting, the Republicans want to adopt their party platform on topics such as abortion, gun rights and religion. The surrounding events will also be interesting: There will be discussions, church services and other events to mobilize the party base. Trump’s allies will give speeches. The large political presence offers lobbyists a welcome opportunity to exert influence. Celebrities who move in right-wing conservative circles are supposed to increase the celebrity factor. It is currently unclear to what extent Trump’s wife Melania, who has recently been in hiding, will play an active role.

What is different this time?

For the first time, Trump can present himself as the clear leader of the Republicans at a nominating convention. In 2016, he ran as an outsider, and in 2020 the pandemic prevented the Republicans from holding a large, pompous event. In view of his defeat in the 2020 election against Biden, the subsequent storming of the Capitol and the criminal proceedings initiated against him, Trump was at risk of losing power within the party.

But he has managed to unite the Republicans behind him. Trump has installed close family members and loyal supporters in key positions in the party. His daughter-in-law Lara Trump, for example, is partly responsible for financing and coordinating the meeting in Milwaukee. This gives him control over the nominating convention – and the vision for America’s political future propagated there.