Unity may be on the lips and mind of Donald Trump as the gavel ushered in Day 1 of the GOP Convention, but discord inside and outside the convention hall will play a loud role this week in Cleveland.
Trump and his supporters face a last-gasp battle over delegates inside the hall and anti-Trump protesters outside.
Fox News is reporting that supporters loyal to Sen. Ted Cruz — namely Ken Cuccinelli and Sen. Mike Lee — continue to haggle with the RNC Rules committee for Cruz's name to be placed in nomination from the floor, and for closed-primary states to be rewarded more delegates.
The roll call for the nomination will be Tuesday.
Cruz will be speak Wednesday night in prime time, and Fox News is reporting that the Cruz camp, delegates that number in the hundreds, may walk out of the arena after Cruz finishes with his speech if they don't obtain concessions from the rules committee.
"We won't sit around and coronate a king," Colorado delegate Kendal Unruh told the
Associated Press.
Fox News reports that if a deal is struck, it would most likely give the Cruz camp what it seeks in exchange for a promise of decorum.
All this while some are still holding out hope for and calling for a third-party candidate.
Bill Kristol implored Mitt Romney or Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse to get into the race at the convention.
As for what happens on the stage, Trump has said he will make an appearance Monday night to introduce his
wife, Melania, a most unusual move for the nominee-to-be.
Trump's children are all expected to speak during prime time this week as well.
Expect the unexpected this week.
Also scheduled to speak Monday night, under the theme of
"Make America Safe Again," are:
- Scott Baio
- Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst
- Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions
- Willie Robertson
- Rudy Guiliani
- Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn
- Anthony Sabato Jr.
Tuesday night's theme will be "Make America Work Again," followed by
"Make America First Again" and concluding with "Make America Once Again."
Trump's VP candidate Mike Pence will speak Wednesday night, and Trump will deliver his main address Thursday night to accept the nomination.