Donald Trump is preparing for a scenario in which he will not be able to attend the Republican National Convention, a decision influenced in part by the possibility that he could be sentenced to house arrest following his historic conviction late last month.
Preparations are being made at Mar-a-Lago, his home in Florida, and in Milwaukee, the city hosting the convention next month, in case Trump decides to make appearances from afar or is unable to attend, according to two familiar sources. with planning.
“The campaign in conjunction with the RNC is planning an incredible convention program that will highlight the party and officially designate President Trump’s nomination,” senior adviser Brian Hughes said in a statement to NBC News. “President Trump will be featured as an active part of this official event and celebration of our path to victory in November.”
A New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records tied to a secret payment to an adult film star during the 2016 campaign. His sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just four days before the Republican convention. He faces a fine, probation or up to four years in prison per charge; Legal experts have differing opinions on the punishment he is likely to receive, but home confinement remains an option.
Trump said he is “OK” with the idea that he could face prison time or house arrest.
In the event of potential house arrest, the Republican National Committee is already setting up a convention-themed reenactment at Mar-a-Lago, along with a huge screen at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, where most of the convention activities will take place.
“If you look at what has been released about our convention stage, it will be the most high-tech stage ever,” said a Republican operative who visited the convention site. “This will allow the campaign to utilize people who are not in Milwaukee to be projected into the hall.
“This will give President Trump the opportunity to attend more days of the convention if he so chooses,” the person continued.
The RNC put its stage construction front and center, holding a press conference in which President Michael Whatley called it “the centerpiece of a world-class production and historic experience.”
“Synthesizing technological innovation and artistic vision, our dynamic stage design will be at the center of a historic Republican National Convention,” Whatley said in a statement last week.
The Republican operative who visited the convention site said the idea of Trump being under house arrest was not discussed during visits to Milwaukee and that people were told there was a chance Trump would simply choose to hold convention-related events in Mar -a-Lago. .
A Trump campaign official, however, confirmed to NBC News that the idea that he could be under house arrest during the convention is part of the planning process.
Asked for comment, Hughes said: “As with every convention, there are components that involve the nominee outside the convention hall and inside the convention hall. This convention will undoubtedly include these components for President Trump.”
Trump has repeatedly said he is waiting until next month to announce his vice presidential running mate, saying as recently as last week that he plans to do so at the convention. His campaign declined to comment on how being remote during some or all major events would affect timing and planning.
Although Trump will be sentenced a week before the convention, legal experts told NBC News he will likely request a stay of sentence while he appeals. If the trial judge or an appeals judge grants the request, Trump will likely be able to continue to roam freely, as he did while awaiting trial.
If the sentence affects his ability to participate in the convention, he would be the first major party candidate in recent memory to not attend the party convention, an event that includes the candidate’s formal acceptance of the nomination and an accompanying speech.
“Friends, delegates and fellow Americans: I humbly and gratefully accept your nomination for President of the United States,” Trump said when opening his speech in Cleveland in 2016.
Trump also gave an in-person speech in 2020 during an abbreviated Republican convention in Jacksonville, Florida, a gathering that came after Republicans pushed for an in-person convention amid the coronavirus pandemic. The convention was originally scheduled to take place in North Carolina, but was postponed after Roy Cooper, the Democratic governor, refused to allow a full-attendance convention.
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
