Who is speaking at RNC Day 3? JD Vance and top Trump allies headline the list
Republicans are heading back to the floor of the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Wednesday for the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention, where conservative leaders will continue to pitch their vision of America’s future to voters.
Wednesday’s festivities are focused on the theme “Make America Strong Again,” and will feature speeches and events about the U.S.’s role on the world stage, former President Donald Trump’s foreign policy platform and the ongoing war in the Middle East.
But one key national security topic isn’t likely to garner much attention: the war in Ukraine. Trump and his newly named running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have pledged to cut aid to Ukraine if elected. In a 2022 interview on Steve Bannon’s podcast Vance said, “I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another.”
The GOP vice presidential nominee is slated to deliver a keynote address Wednesday night. Some of the other most anticipated speakers in the Day 3 lineup include Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. and former Trump VP contenders Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas, and Doug Burgum of North Dakota.
Another must-watch moment: Donald Trump’s former adviser Peter Navarro will speak just hours after he completed a federal prison sentence. Navarro was convicted in September on two charges of contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas from the House committee that investigated the Capitol attack of Jan. 6, 2021. He was released from prison Wednesday morning.
You can watch all the action online through Paste BN’s livestream of the event. And be sure to keep an eye out for these speakers:
U.S. House members:
- Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla.
- Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.
- Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas
- Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.
- Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.
- Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla.
Trump allies
- Sen. JD Vance, GOP vice presidential nominee
- Donald Trump Jr.
- Kellyanne Conway, former counselor to Trump during his presidency
- Kimberly Guilfoyle, former adviser to Trump’s 2020 campaign, Fox News host and assistant district attorney in San Francisco
- Usha Chilukuri Vance, wife of Sen. JD Vance
Prominent Republican leaders:
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
- North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum
- Mayor Trent Conway, East Palestine, Ohio
- Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
- Callista Gingrich, former ambassador to the Holy See under Trump
- Peter Navarro, former director of the U.S. Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy under Trump
- Thomas Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Trump
American voices:
- David Lara, an Arizona business owner and activist who is expected to discuss the impacts of illegal immigration.
- Jim Chilton, a fifth-generation rancher from Arizona, is expected to discuss drug smuggling and human trafficking at the southern border.
- Sarah Philips, a petroleum engineer from West Virginia, is expected to discuss energy costs.
- Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia, a Medal of Honor and Bronze Stare Medal recipient and Army veteran who served during the Iraq War.
- Scott Neil, a retired special forces veteran and founder of Horse Soldier Bourbon
- Gold Star Families: Alicia Lopez and Herman Lopez; Cheryl Jules and Christy Shamblin.
- Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Jewish American and Harvard Alumnus, is expected to discuss the campus protests during the spring over the Israel and Hamas War.
- Neutra Family, the family of Omer Neutra, who was taken hostage on Oct. 7 by Hamas militants
- Sergeant William Pekrul, a World War II and D-Day veteran