As states plot how to lift their coronavirus restrictions, President Donald Trump is urging North Carolina to allow the Republican National Committee’s nominating convention to proceed without restrictions.
“I love the Great State of North Carolina, so much so that I insisted on having the Republican National Convention in Charlotte at the end of August,” Trump said in a tweet on Monday morning.
He continued, “Unfortunately, Democrat Governor, [Roy Cooper] is still in Shutdown mood [and] unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed in full attendance. In other words, we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very high standard without even knowing if the Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space.”
…full attendance in the Arena. In other words, we would be spending millions of dollars building the Arena to a very high standard without even knowing if the Democrat Governor would allow the Republican Party to fully occupy the space. Plans are being….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
Finally, Trump called on Cooper to “immediately” let the Republican National Committee know if the convention can proceed at full capacity. He added, “If not, we will be reluctantly forced to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site. This is not something I want to do.”
…to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site. This is not something I want to do. Thank you, and I LOVE the people of North Carolina!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
The Republican National Convention is scheduled to take place the week of August 24. However, as the coronavirus spread throughout the country, the future of the Republican and Democratic nominating conventions appeared to be up in the air.
The Democratic National Committee previously decided to delay its convention, from early-July to early-August over coronavirus fears.
And former Vice President Joe Biden even suggested that the party may have to consider holding a virtual convention due to the virus. During an interview in April, Biden said, “We’re going to have to do a convention, may have to do a virtual convention.”
He added, “We may not be able to put 10, 20, 30,000 people in one place, and that’s very possible.”
Trump mocked Biden’s suggestion that a virtual convention may be necessary in a tweet, “Joe Biden wanted the date for the Democrat National Convention moved to a later time period. Now he wants a ‘Virtual’ Convention, one where he doesn’t have to show up. Gee, I wonder why?”
Joe Biden wanted the date for the Democrat National Convention moved to a later time period. Now he wants a “Virtual” Convention, one where he doesn’t have to show up. Gee, I wonder why? Also, what ever happened to that phone call he told the Fake News he wanted to make to me?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 6, 2020
However, Biden responded and said he would like to have a physical convention but “that is going to depend on you stepping up and doing what needs to be done to handle this pandemic.”
Mr. President, I hope we can gather in Milwaukee, but that is going to depend on you stepping up and doing what needs to be done to handle this pandemic. I have laid out how you can do that: https://t.co/YLHCGEKnUB. Happy to discuss anytime. https://t.co/ePQuQKkeZV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 6, 2020
As late as May 16, the Republican National Committee said it still planned to hold its convention as originally planned.
