The 2020 Republican National Convention was held August 24–27, 2020. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was staged without an audience for most of its program, and with many components having been pre-recorded. The convention was preceded by pre-convention meetings. The convention opened on August 24 with an in-person morning session in Charlotte, North Carolina. The remainder of the convention, beginning that evening, consisted of evening sessions centered primarily in Washington, D.C.
Pre-convention meetings Committee on Platform Rather than adopting a new party platform, uniquely the Republicans decided simply to recycle their 2016 party platform, including several references to the "current president" and attacks on "the administration" (which in 2016 referred to Barack Obama and the Obama administration). The decision was criticized by Republican activists. In a tweet, Trump said that he would "prefer a new and updated platform, short form, if possible."
The RNC did not do this, just issuing a one-page document stating opposition to the "Obama/Biden administration" and supporting President Trump's instead.
Republican National Committee meetings The Republican National Committee had its semi-annual meeting from August 21 to 23. It was closed to the press.
The convention, as originally planned to be held in Charlotte, was initially anticipated to attract 50,000 visitors to the city.
The ultimate format of the convention had much of its content be prerecorded.
Charlotte: August 24 morning session
The official business of the 2020 Republican National Convention, including the formal nominations of President Trump and Vice President Pence, was held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The 336 delegates met in the morning from 9 a.m. EDT, after which the committee reports were read and voted on.
The business meeting also included votes on nomination. Scott Walker placed Pence's name in nomination. Pence was nominated by voice vote. This was the first time the vice-presidential nomination came first. Michael Whatley, the chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, placed the president's name in nomination and Florida state senator Joe Gruters seconded the nomination. This was followed by the traditional roll-call of the states.
The roll-call was interrupted by addresses from Walker, Vice President Pence, and President Trump himself, who spoke over an hour. All of them addressed the crowd in-person, having flown to Charlotte.
Charlotte speech schedule Select speakers: Speaker Position/notability Location Notes CiteRonna McDanielChair of the Republican National Committee Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina MC of the business session. Scott Walker Former governor of Wisconsin Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina Roll call address Mike Pence Nominee for second term as vice president of the United States Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina Pre-acceptance thank-you speech Donald Trump Nominee for a second term as president of the United States Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina Pre-acceptance MAGA rally speech
Washington, D.C.: August 24–27 After the formal business of the convention in Charlotte concluded, the convention moved to Washington, D.C.. Further convention programming (including speeches and entertainment) was conducted in the nation's capital city, as well as several remote locations outside of D.C. In D.C., production for four nights of prime time convention programming was anchored at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., where most speeches were filmed. However, various components of the convention were filmed elsewhere, including at locations outside of Washington, D.C.
Most speeches were pre-taped.
At events with in-person audiences, such as First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence's speeches, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended practices of protective masks and social distancing were largely absent.
August 24: Evening session
Theme: Land of promise
8:30–11:00 p.m. EDT
Schedule: Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Main convention program
August 24 speech schedule Select speakers (in order of appearance): Speaker Position/notability Location Notes CiteTimothy M. DolanCardinal,Archbishop of New York New York City, New York InvocationCharlie KirkFounder and president of Turning Point USA Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Matt GaetzUnited States representative from FloridaAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Kimberly KlacikCandidate for the U.S. House for Maryland's 7th district Baltimore, MarylandRonna McDanielChair of the Republican National Committee Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Jim JordanUnited States representative from Ohio Herschel Walker Former football playerVernon JonesGeorgia State Representative (Democratic)Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Andrew PollackFather of Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victimAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Mark and Patricia McCloskey St. Louis, Missouri, couple involved in an incident with Black Lives Matter protesters in June 2020 St. Louis, MissouriKimberly Guilfoyle Trump campaign official, girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr., and former Fox News television personalityAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Steve ScaliseUnited States representative from Louisiana and House minority whipAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Sean ParnellU.S. Army veteran and candidate for the U.S. House from Pennsylvania's 17th districtAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Maximo AlvarezCuban exile, Sunshine Gasoline Distributors founder and presidentAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Nikki HaleyFormer United States ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of South CarolinaAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump Jr.Executive vice president of the Trump Organization and son of the presidential nomineeAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Tim ScottUnited States senator from South CarolinaAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
Select film segments: Conversation with COVID-19 frontline workers in the East Room of the White House (featuring President Donald Trump) Conversation with released overseas prisoners Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House (featuring President Donald Trump)
Tuesday, August 25
8:30–11:00 p.m. EDT
Theme: Land of opportunity
Invocation by Pastor Norma Urrabazo Main convention ceremony
August 25 speech schedule Select speakers (in order of appearance): Speaker Position/notability Location Notes Cite Norma Urrabazo Pastor Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. InvocationMyron LizerVice president of the Navajo Nation Shiprock Pinnacle in New MexicoRand PaulUnited States senator from KentuckyAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Larry Kudlow Director of the National Economic CouncilRedding, ConnecticutCissie Graham LynchDaughter of Franklin Graham and granddaughter of Billy GrahamAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Robert VlaisavljevichMayor of Eveleth, MinnesotaEveleth Mayor and Council City of Eveleth (Democratic)Eveleth City Hall in Eveleth, MinnesotaAbby Johnson Author known for anti-abortion film UnplannedAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Nicholas SandmannKentucky teen whose interaction with Native American activist Nathan Phillips on the National Mall went viral in 2019.Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.Pam BondiFormer attorney general of FloridaImpeachment defense counsel.Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Tiffany Trump Daughter of the presidential nomineeAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Kim ReynoldsGovernor of IowaDes Moines, IowaJeanette NúñezLieutenant governor of FloridaAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Eric Trump Executive vice president of the Trump Organization and son of the presidential nomineeAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Daniel CameronAttorney general of KentuckyAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.Mike PompeoUnited States secretary of state King David Hotel in Jerusalem, Israel Melania Trump First Lady of the United States, spouse of the presidential nominee White House Rose Garden in Washington, D.C. speech by wife of presidential nominee
Mary Ann Mendoza had also been scheduled to speak. However, just hours before her part in the program, she posted a tweet in support of an antisemitic conspiracy theory and specifically highlighted its reference to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. The RNC immediately canceled her appearance.
Select video segments: Donald Trump pardoning Jon Ponder at the White House Naturalization ceremony at the White House (featuring Donald Trump and Chad Wolf)
Wednesday, August 26
8:30–11:00 p.m. EDT
Schedule: Invocation by Rabbi Aryeh Spero Pledge of Allegiance by Joseph Deslauriers Main convention program Performance of the national anthem ("The Star-Spangled Banner") by Trace Adkins
Theme: Land of heroes
August 26 speech schedule Select speakers (in order of appearance): Speaker Position/notability Location Notes Cite Aryeh Spero Rabbi Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Invocation Incorrectly listed as Shubert Spero by the RNC Kristi Noem Governor of South Dakota Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Scott DaneExecutive director of the Associated Contract Loggers & Truckers of Minnesota Marsha Blackburn United States senator from Tennessee Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Dan Crenshaw United States representative from Texas USS Texas BB-35 in La Porte, Texas Keith Kellogg National security advisor to the vice president Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Kayleigh McEnany White House Press Secretary Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Karen Pence Second Lady of the United States, spouse of thevice-presidential nominee Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. speech by wife of VP nominee Kellyanne Conway Counselor to the president Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Sister Deirdre "Dede" Byrne Member of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, colonel in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, general surgeon at the Spanish Catholic Center in Washington, D.C., anti-abortion activist Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Lou Holtz Former football coach Orlando, Florida Michael McHale President of the National Association of Police Organizations Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Elise Stefanik United States representative from New York Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Madison Cawthorn Candidate for the U.S. House from North Carolina's 11th district Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Jack Brewer Former football player Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Chen Guangcheng Chinese civil rights activist Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Lee Zeldin United States representative from New York Westhampton, New York Joni Ernst United States senator from Iowa Burgess Owens Former professional football player and candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Utah Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Lara Trump Trump campaign spokesperson and daughter-in-law of the president Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Clarence Henderson President of the North Carolina chapter of the Frederick Douglass Foundation Greensboro, North Carolina Richard Grenell Former United States ambassador to Germany, former acting director of national intelligence Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Mike Pence Nominee for vice president,Vice President of the United States Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore, Maryland Vice-presidential nomination acceptance speech
Thursday, August 27
8:30–11:00 p.m. EDT
Theme: Land of greatness
August 27 speech schedule