Coronavirus may force Trump nominating convention outdoors
Reuters
Published Jul 14, 2020 02:53PM ET
By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republicans are planning to move their convention formally nominating President Donald Trump for a second White House term from an indoor arena to an outdoor venue as Florida's coronavirus cases surge, two party sources familiar with the conversations said on Tuesday.
They said the plan, which Trump tentatively accepted on Monday during a White House meeting with top Republican National Committee (RNC) officials, emerged as the party scrambles to host a large-scale event next month amid the health crisis.
"We're not blind to the health concerns in Florida," a Republican official said. "But at the same time, we're committed to holding an in-person celebration of the president's nomination."
Organizers had planned to host the Aug. 24-27 convention at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. They now will move the main events - including Trump's acceptance speech - to one of two outdoor arenas in the area, the two Republican sources said.
Sources emphasized the plans still could change. The RNC declined to comment.
Skepticism has grown about the likelihood of a full-scale convention, with some members of Congress saying they will skip it and some donors wary of bankrolling an event in a state with rising infections. Democrats are planning a mostly virtual convention.
Florida's virus count has soared since it was chosen to host the convention after Trump scrapped long-laid plans to accept the party's nomination in Charlotte, North Carolina. That state's governor, a Democrat, would not commit to allowing large gatherings with restrictions in place because of the pandemic.
Health officials reported the highest daily increase of deaths in Florida residents from COVID-19 on Tuesday. On Sunday, the state reported more than 15,000 new cases, marking the highest single-day total of known cases in any state.
Trump's desire for large rallies has been stymied by the virus.
"He wants rallies but he only wants rallies if they're filled and over-capacity, and at the same time we’re seeing a surge in the virus," said a former senior administration official close to the White House. "That's going to be a tough square to circle. I don't know that there is a good answer."
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.