Republicans scrambling to pull off convention as Trump keeps changing demands: report

According to a report from USA Today, Republicans tasked with putting together the Republican National Convention next week are still scrambling because Donald Trump is making constant demands for changes and scrutinizing every detail.

With the RNC having been moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, then to Jacksonville, Florida over COVID-19 concerns, Republicans -- like the Democrats -- will now be holding a virtual convention.

However, unlike the Democrats, Republicans are having to deal with the ever-changing moods and demands of the volatile Trump.

Noting that organizers have yet to release a schedule for the week -- including all of the speaker slots -- the report states that demands are changing by the hour.

"Even aides to the Senate’s top Republican, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, seemed confused about whether he would have a convention speaking role. McConnell’s re-election campaign said Thursday he would be campaigning in his home state and would not be speaking at the event," the report states. "Hours later, a campaign source said there had been 'a miscommunication' and that the senator would submit taped remarks to be played at the convention."

"There are many reasons for seeming chaos, officials said, including Trump's insistence on approving most decisions and the egos of people who want prime-time speaking slots," the report continues before adding, "The event, which opens Monday and closes Thursday night with Trump’s acceptance speech at the White House, will be a far cry from the glitz of conventions past, primarily because of the threat of the coronavirus pandemic."

According to USA Today, Trump is being kept up to date on every detail which is leading to delays and even more confusion.

"Trump freely offers advice on what he wants to see in the convention, officials said. Previous presidents have taken an interest in convention planning, but Trump's role is unique given his background in television. The star of a TV reality show before entering politics, Trump often envisions events in terms of how they will look on television," the report states. "

According to Ron Bonjean, a GOP political strategist, "When it comes to what a television shot looks like, the president is very engaged. He cares about what the lighting looks like. What are the backgrounds? Who are the other people who are going to be in the shot? He is very detail oriented on what viewers are going to be seeing and how it is going to be portrayed on a daily basis.”

You can read more here.