Meet some of the interesting speakers at the Republican convention
Welcome to Day One of the Republican National Convention. On Sunday the GOP finally announced this week’s program, which includes a lineup of speakers that is noticeably missing some big political names (like Gov. John Kasich, even though the convention is in his home state) but includes an interesting smattering of celebrities, veterans, former rivals and family members.
Let’s begin with Melania Trump, who could become the first first lady to have ever (publicly) posed nude.
The former model has remained quiet and nearly invisible on the sidelines throughout her husband’s campaign, but is now slated for a national prime-time speaking slot.
A new Gallup poll found that 28% of Americans viewed Trump favorably, 32% viewed her unfavorably and 40% were unsure, making her among the least well-known and least well-liked among potential first ladies in recent years.
The other Trump family members include the candidate’s second-youngest child Tiffany Trump, a 22-year-old with 156,000 followers on Instagram. She graduated this spring with a double major in sociology and urban studies.
Kathryn Gates-Skipper, the first female Marine to serve in combat.
Former underwear model Antonio Sabato Jr., who was once a Chippendales guest host. The program for the convention notes that “daytime television viewers” know Sabato for his roles on soap operas “General Hospital” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
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PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, a famed venture capitalist who has picked a fight with Gawker. He’s openly gay, which is rare for a speaker at the Republican convention. His decision to become a California delegate for Trump sparked backlash in Silicon Valley.
Thiel has a prime speaking slot Thursday night.
California’s Kevin McCarthy, the House majority leader, who was once expected to take the most powerful job in Congress.
Fun fact: Actor Kevin Spacey shadowed McCarthy to prepare for his role in “House of Cards.”
Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, who recently cashed out millions from the UFC’s $4-billion sale. He is a self-described political independent, according to the GOP.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.
Blackburn once angered congressional Democrats with a comment about the sale of “baby body parts” after antiabortion activists released a secretly recorded video in which Planned Parenthood officials appeared to discuss using tissue from aborted fetuses in medical research.
Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Christian college Liberty University. He’s also slated to speak on Thursday – expected to be the best-watched night of the convention.
Trump spoke at Liberty University in January and told the students that his book “The Art of the Deal” was the best book in the world — after the Bible.
Trump also inaccurately cited “Two” Corinthians during a speech at the university. It’s usually referred to as “Second” Corinthians.
Rep. Sean P. Duffy of Wisconsin, who in 1997 was one of the seven strangers in MTV’s reality series “The Real World.”
Laura Ingraham, a popular conservative radio talk show host.
And lastly, Ted Cruz, a former rival who just two months ago was calling Trump a “narcissist at a level that I don't think this country has ever seen” and a pathological liar.
“Morality does not exist for him,” Cruz said.
Cruz has yet to officially endorse Trump.
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