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RNC 2020: The speakers and schedule for day two of Trump's Republican convention RNC 2020: The speakers and schedule for day three of Trump's Republican convention
(about 11 hours later)
The Republican National Convention has kicked off with a roll call formally nominating Donald Trump to run in the 3 November election.The Republican National Convention has kicked off with a roll call formally nominating Donald Trump to run in the 3 November election.
How will the four-day event unfold?How will the four-day event unfold?
Let's back up first.Let's back up first.
There's an obvious question...There's an obvious question...
What is the Republican National Convention?What is the Republican National Convention?
OK, good question.OK, good question.
Party conventions take place once every four years - they are the ceremonial crowning of the party's presidential candidate as they prepare for the final phase of campaigning.Party conventions take place once every four years - they are the ceremonial crowning of the party's presidential candidate as they prepare for the final phase of campaigning.
Last time around, we saw the Trump family take centre stage to a backdrop of fireworks and a sea of red, white and blue balloons.Last time around, we saw the Trump family take centre stage to a backdrop of fireworks and a sea of red, white and blue balloons.
It's also where party officials wrap up other less-glamorous business, like unveiling the political platform and adopting rules. This time - for the first time - no new platform is being adopted - the party will continue to support Mr Trump's 2016 manifesto. It's also where party officials wrap up other less glamorous business, like unveiling the political platform and adopting rules. This time - for the first time - no new platform is being adopted. The party will continue to support Mr Trump's 2016 manifesto.
As the sitting president, Mr Trump is the de facto nominee. But the convention has formally nominated him with a roll call, nonetheless. As the sitting president, Mr Trump is the de facto nominee but the convention has formally nominated him with a roll call, nonetheless.
On Thursday, the president will formally accept the nomination with a big speech. On Thursday, the president will formally accept the nomination with a big speech.
How is the Republican National Convention being held this year?How is the Republican National Convention being held this year?
The conventions of years past have been glitzy affairs, bringing together thousands of delegates, party leaders, activists and celebrities for receptions, speeches and general hyping up of the presidential candidate.The conventions of years past have been glitzy affairs, bringing together thousands of delegates, party leaders, activists and celebrities for receptions, speeches and general hyping up of the presidential candidate.
But the pandemic has upended all that.But the pandemic has upended all that.
Unlike its Democratic counterpart, the Republican Convention is hosting some in-person business. Unlike its Democratic counterpart, the Republican Convention is hosting some in-person events at venues in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington DC, along with speeches delivered remotely.
But people are being told they need to wear masks and social distance. Those attending are given a self-swab Covid-19 test before travelling and entering their hotels. Each day will follow themes of America as the land of promise, opportunity, heroes and - in a nod to Trump's slogan - greatness.
People are being told they need to wear masks and social distance. Those attending events are given a self-swab Covid-19 test before travelling and entering their hotels.
OK, so where will Trump be?OK, so where will Trump be?
He will accept the nomination in a "real speech on Thursday", live from the White House.He will accept the nomination in a "real speech on Thursday", live from the White House.
This hasn't been entirely well-received - with critics arguing using federal property for a campaign speech is unethical. This hasn't been entirely well received - with critics arguing using federal property for a campaign speech is unethical.
Who is speaking on Tuesday night? Who is speaking on Wednesday night?
Headlining is the first lady but the appearance of the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has raised eyebrows as the office is meant to be above or separate from getting involved in political campaigning. The House of Representatives - controlled by the opposition Democrats - has indicated it will investigate Mr Pompeo over his decision. Vice-President Pence will address the convention remotely from Baltimore's Fort McHenry, where the city was defended against the British in the War of 1812, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the US national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.
Who are the other speakers this year? Expect a speech strong on the anthem and American symbols but also watch out for what the man helping to steer the White House's response to coronavirus has to say about the pandemic.
Wednesday His wife Karen Pence will also appear and the evangelical Christian is expected to appeal particularly to suburban women, mixing politics and faith in her address.
Thursday There will be much interest in what Kellyanne Conway has to say days before she is set to leave the White House.
Mr Pence will accept his running mate role from Fort McHenry in Baltimore. It's a place heavy with historical significance, because it is where US soldiers withstood the might of the British in 1814, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became the national anthem. The 53-year-old announced this week that she was resigning from her post as senior adviser to Mr Trump at the end of August to focus on her children, giving them "less drama, more mama".
Like its Democratic counterpart, the Republican programme will also be a mix of pre-recorded and live speeches, based in Washington DC. Two black speakers on Wednesday are expected to push Mr Trump's law-and-order message: Clarence Henderson, a civil rights activist from the 1960s, and Burgess Owens, a former NFL player and Fox News commentator who is running for office in Utah, the Associated Press reports.
Each day will follow themes of America as the land of promise, opportunity, heroes and - in a nod to Trump's slogan - greatness. Several military veterans are also due to address the convention as well as four of the party's rising female stars: Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, New York Representative Elise Stefanik, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and presidential daughter-in-law Lara Trump.
Who has already spoken?
US First Lady Melania Trump made a heartfelt plea for racial unity when she delivered a live speech from the White House on Tuesday.
The day also saw two of the president's children, Eric and Tiffany Trump, making fierce attacks on the Democrats while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a pre-recorded speech from Israel, praising the president's "America First vision".
Normally, the nation's top diplomat does not attend political conventions, and critics called his participation unethical.
Monday, the convention's opening day, was dominated by a speech by President Trump himself in which he warned Republicans their opponents might "steal" November's election.
His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, described Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden as "basically the Loch Ness monster of the swamp".
Who is to speak on the final day?
Thursday will see speeches from:
What time is the Republican National Convention?What time is the Republican National Convention?
The convention is expected to last 2.5 hours each night, Monday to Thursday, from 20:30 EST (00:30 GMT) to 23:00 EST (03:00 GMT).The convention is expected to last 2.5 hours each night, Monday to Thursday, from 20:30 EST (00:30 GMT) to 23:00 EST (03:00 GMT).
You can follow the latest news, including live pages on the two biggest nights Wednesday and Thursday, at bbc.com/newsYou can follow the latest news, including live pages on the two biggest nights Wednesday and Thursday, at bbc.com/news
And you can watch on the Republican National Convention website.And you can watch on the Republican National Convention website.
Three things to watch out forThree things to watch out for
Few incumbent presidents of the modern era have faced a challenge as great as the one before Donald Trump in the final months of their re-election campaign. He has consistently trailed Joe Biden in the polls by a modest but significant margin for months. The Republican Convention is one of his last, best opportunities to turn the tide.Few incumbent presidents of the modern era have faced a challenge as great as the one before Donald Trump in the final months of their re-election campaign. He has consistently trailed Joe Biden in the polls by a modest but significant margin for months. The Republican Convention is one of his last, best opportunities to turn the tide.
The coronavirus pandemic has made a traditional convention format impractical, but it appears the Republicans will try to come close to replicating the feel of one. Unlike the Democrats, they will have audiences for many of their speeches, including Donald Trump's Thursday night address, which will be held from the South Lawn of the White House.The coronavirus pandemic has made a traditional convention format impractical, but it appears the Republicans will try to come close to replicating the feel of one. Unlike the Democrats, they will have audiences for many of their speeches, including Donald Trump's Thursday night address, which will be held from the South Lawn of the White House.
That speech will be a good guide for how the Republicans hope to conduct their campaign over the final months. Will he focus on tearing down Joe Biden or on accomplishments from early in his presidency? Or will he try to convince the public that the worst days of the pandemic are over?That speech will be a good guide for how the Republicans hope to conduct their campaign over the final months. Will he focus on tearing down Joe Biden or on accomplishments from early in his presidency? Or will he try to convince the public that the worst days of the pandemic are over?
The Democrats during their convention turned to voices from "ordinary" Americans - immigrants, workers and minorities - who said they had been harmed by the president's policies. The Republicans will counter with ones who will recount how they've been helped - or who are worried about what the Democrats would do in power. Will they make a compelling case?The Democrats during their convention turned to voices from "ordinary" Americans - immigrants, workers and minorities - who said they had been harmed by the president's policies. The Republicans will counter with ones who will recount how they've been helped - or who are worried about what the Democrats would do in power. Will they make a compelling case?
The rest of the week will be filled with Republican officeholders of various levels. Some, including Vice-President Mike Pence, will be vying for position to lead the party once Trump leaves office - either next year or in 2024.The rest of the week will be filled with Republican officeholders of various levels. Some, including Vice-President Mike Pence, will be vying for position to lead the party once Trump leaves office - either next year or in 2024.
Four years ago, Trump defied conventional practices and wisdom to win the presidency. He's remade the Republican Party in his image, with an emphasis on conservative populism and sometimes brash rhetoric. That new party, his party, will be on full display this weekFour years ago, Trump defied conventional practices and wisdom to win the presidency. He's remade the Republican Party in his image, with an emphasis on conservative populism and sometimes brash rhetoric. That new party, his party, will be on full display this week
If the battle to be Trump's political heirs is one potential theme of the convention, another will be the dynamic among his actual heirs. The president's wife, along with three of his children - Eric, Don Jr and Tiffany - are all scheduled set to speak.If the battle to be Trump's political heirs is one potential theme of the convention, another will be the dynamic among his actual heirs. The president's wife, along with three of his children - Eric, Don Jr and Tiffany - are all scheduled set to speak.
The Trump family has had more than its share of drama - most recently with secret recordings of sister Maryanne Barry disparaging the president. Will this week be more like the Brady Bunch or King Lear?The Trump family has had more than its share of drama - most recently with secret recordings of sister Maryanne Barry disparaging the president. Will this week be more like the Brady Bunch or King Lear?
How does the voting work?
There's a roll call when delegates from states and territories across the US say which candidate they are backing. This time, that's the president.
State delegates vote in line with the results of their state primary results - and in the case of Republicans, they are bound to do so. There are also unpledged delegates who can vote freely - these are two national committee members and the party chairperson from each state.
With Trump as the incumbent, some states opted out of hosting primary elections this year and automatically gave their delegates to him.
If you need a refresher on all things primary and caucus, check out our explainer here.
What happens next?What happens next?
Now we watch as campaigning heats up before the general election on 3 November.Now we watch as campaigning heats up before the general election on 3 November.
Be sure to set a reminder for the debates too, where we'll see Biden and Trump battle to win over voters. The first presidential debate is scheduled for 29 September with two more in October.Be sure to set a reminder for the debates too, where we'll see Biden and Trump battle to win over voters. The first presidential debate is scheduled for 29 September with two more in October.