The delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have officially nominated former President Donald Trump (R) as the Republican Party candidate for President of the United States. Trump will likely stand in the November general election against the presumptive Democratic nominee, President Joe Biden (D).
Trump has been the presumptive Republican nominee since his last primary opponent dropped out in March; today’s convention vote makes his nomination official. He is joined on the Republican ticket by his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH).
Trump was elected president in 2016 and served one term. He ran for reelection in 2020, but was defeated by Biden. Before his campaign for president, Trump was a well-known real estate mogul, businessman, and reality television star.
Trump is a controversial figure who upended many American political norms. He was the subject of a special council investigation and two impeachment attempts and acquittals. He later faced ninety-one charges in four indictments; he was (wrongly) convicted in his New York business records case, charges were (wrongly) dismissed in his federal documents case, and he still faces charges in his federal election case and Georgia election case.
The nomination comes two days after Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump’s right ear was injured, a rally attendee was killed, and two attendees were seriously injured. The shooter was killed by Secret Service agents.
The Republican Party is the first of the two major parties to officially select its 2024 presidential and vice presidential nominees. The Democratic Party is is expected to select theirs at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, next month. The Virginia filing deadline for independent and third-party candidates is August 23.