Donald Trump's GOP Convention Speakers Revealed: Tim Tebow and Rudy Giuliani Make the List – But Where's Sarah Palin?
The speakers at Donald Trump's convention next week will include NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and daughter Ivanka Trump.
The eclectic "partial list" released on Thursday by the Republican National Convention showcased political leaders, celebrities, pro athletes and even a former underwear model (Antonio Sabáto Jr.).
Tebow was not on the official list, but CNN confirmed his speaking slot with a Trump adviser.
Other notables slated to speak include Trump's wife, Melania Trump, former NASA astronaut Eileen Collins, Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White, tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Benghazi survivors Mark Geist and John Tiegen.
Trump's former Republican rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, is also slated to speak. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan will also make a speech at the convention, Fox News confirmed earlier in the week.
According to Politico, the list of speakers also includes former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Both men have been vetted as possible vice presidential running mates. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is not listed as a speaker, and The New York Times reported Thursday that Trump has strongly signaled to Republican leaders that Pence will join him on the ticket.
Donald Trump's Changing Looks
Notably missing from the list are Trump pals Don King and Tom Brady, Trump backer Sarah Palin, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and leading Republicans John McCain, Mitt Romney and John Kasich.
The four-night convention, which kicks off next Monday in Cleveland, will focus on the key themes of Trump's campaign: "national security, immigration, trade and jobs," Jeff Larson, CEO of the 2016 RNC, previously said.
According to The New York Times, which first reported the new roster of speakers, one night will highlight the tragedy in Benghazi and another will feature a presentation on former President Bill Clinton's sexual misconduct.
The Times notes that "the parade of people seems to have been selected to broaden Mr. Trump's demographic reach."
After calling the 2012 GOP convention "the single most boring convention I've ever seen," Trump promised to bring a "showbiz" factor to his own convention, saying in April, "It's very important to put some showbiz into a convention, otherwise people are going to fall asleep."
But as The Washington Post put it, the stars on Trump's stage " will be relatively dim."
