RNC host committee raises $85 million days before convention

The Republican National Committee’s Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee raised $85 million in funding for the party’s convention, a number it claims is a record amount raised by a host committee for any GOP convention, according to a Thursday news release. The announcement came before the convention’s kick-off on Monday in Milwaukee to formally nominate former President Donald Trump as the party’s 2024 presidential candidate. The Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee estimated more than 45,000 attendees could attend the four-day convention. Wisconsin-based Delta Defense, the sales, marketing, and administrative arm of the United States Concealed Carry Association, brokered a sponsorship deal with the convention in late June, according to the host committee.

Who will speak at the convention? Republicans expect both politicians and celebrities alike to take the stage at the Fiserv Forum arena throughout the week. The RNC has not released a schedule or speakers list, however some speakers have been confirmed through outside sources. Teamsters International President Sean O’Brien will speak at the convention, according to a social media post from Trump. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and state GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann will also speak at the convention, according to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Rapper Amber Rose, the ex-girlfriend of Kanye West, also announced she would also take the stage in Milwaukee. Rose publicly criticized Trump in 2016 but began publicly supporting the former president earlier this year. As the organizer of the 2015 “SlutWalk,” which she characterized as advocating for gender equality, Rose’s attendance caused a stir among party members. Having Rose speak is a reflection of Trumpworld over God’s truth and Christians should not support it, former Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis wrote on social media.

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White is also a speaker according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, along with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and reality TV star Savannah Chrisley.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report on the Republican party pulling abortion from its 2024 platform.