The 2024 Republican National Convention kicks off on Monday, July 15, at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Overseen by the Republican National Committee (RNC), it is the culmination of the party’s presidential nomination process, which started with the state-level presidential primary contests earlier this year.

Former President Donald J. Trump—currently the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee—will be officially certified as the party’s official candidate for the White House by a vote of several thousand convention delegates. Additionally, the delegates will vote on other measures within the Republican Party, including adopting its official 2014 platform.

The National Pulse will be reporting from Milwaukee. We have compiled the following explainer of what has been publicly scheduled so far:

1. NOMINATING A CANDIDATE. 

The Republican Party’s national convention marks the end of the presidential nomination process. While the contest officially began on January 15, 2024, with the Iowa Republican Presidential Caucuses, candidates for the nomination begin their campaigns months, if not years, before. The 2024 Republican primary was dominated by former President Trump, who swept the field with successive and dominating victories in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina—effectively ending the contest with his victory in the latter state.

Presidential primary candidates are awarded delegates based on each state’s primary rules. However, because of his margins in many early states, Trump won enough delegates to secure the Republican nomination by March 13. The former Republican president won all but around 100 of the 2,429 delegates.

While the delegates will vote before next Thursday to name Trump as the party’s official presidential nominee, the former President is set to accept the nomination that evening in a primetime speech.

2. THE CONVENTION THEMES. 

Running from July 15 through July 18, each day of the  2024 Republican National Convention has its own campaign-focused theme. Monday is “Make America Wealthy Once Again.” Tuesday is “Make America Safe Once Again.” Wednesday is “Make America Strong Once Again.” And Thursday is “Make America Great Again Once Again.”

The themes for each day are meant to help establish key aspects of the entire Republican Party‘s united 2024 election efforts, with speakers and side events serving to articulate both Trump‘s and the party’s agenda. Monday morning will, however, predominantly feature state delegation welcome events. The official convention programming, meanwhile, begins at 12:45 PM.

Additionally, convention delegates and other attendees can attend a screening of the new Ronald Reagan biopic starring Dennis Quaid and Jon Voight at 3:00 PM. Throughout the evening on the convention’s first night, there will be numerous receptions and hospitality events for delegates sponsored by state Republican parties, corporate donors, political groups, and campaign vendors.

Tuesday, with the theme “Make America Safe Once Again,” features a bevy of national security-themed breakout sessions and panels at venues around Milwaukee. Curiously, on Wednesday evening, the European Union will host a “Europe Night” at the Harley Davidson Museum for convention attendees. Thursday will culminate with Trump‘s address before the convention.

3. WHO IS SPEAKING SO FAR?

Although the official programming schedule has not been made public, some speakers have been announced for the convention. Former President Trump’s son, Donald Trump, Jr., will speak on Wednesday night—just before his father’s vice presidential nominee. Who Trump’s running-mate will be has not been announced as of publication.

Additional speakers include Sean O’Brien, president of the Teamsters Union. The Teamsters have not backed a Republican presidential candidate since George H.W. Bush over three decades ago. With 1.3 million members, the Teamsters are one of the largest labor unions in the world. Their backing in 2024 could prove pivotal for Trump in retaking the White House from the 81-year-old Democrat incumbent, Joe Biden.

One of the convention’s more controversial speakers is model and rape ‘vixen’ Amber Rose. The model once dated troubled rapper Kanye West and was formerly married to Wiz Khalifa. Despite having identified for some time as a political progressive, Rose announced she is backing Trump in 2024 and voiced her disappointment with Biden‘s government—especially its attempts to regulate cryptocurrencies.

Attendees can also expect a veritable cavalcade of politicians and candidates, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), U.S. Senate candidates Hung Cao (VA) and Kari Lake (AZ), and Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL). Along with candidates and lawmakers, other members of former President Trump’s family—notably former First Lady Melania Trump—are expected to speak as well.

4. A POSSIBLE PLATFORM FIGHT. 

While Trump’s nomination as the 2024 Republican presidential candidate is expected to happen by acclimation, there is one point of contention that could see some fireworks at the convention. Some delegates have expressed a desire to amend the Republican Party’s 2024 platform—namely, the pro-life plank. The current draft platform’s pro-life language was changed to reflect the post-Dobbs political environment with the repeal of Roe v. Wade.

The draft was unveiled earlier this week after the RNC‘s platform committee members finalized the language to present for adoption at the convention. The National Pulse reported that the document outlines several core elements of former President Trump‘s agenda, emphasizing border security, the deportation of illegal immigrants, ending the weaponization of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the protection of Social Security, fair trade, and election integrity.

5. BUT WHAT IS THE POINT OF IT ALL?

At the end of the day, the Republican National Convention is an opportunity for the party and former President Trump to reintroduce themselves to the American electorate. Moreover, it officially marks the 2024 presidential race kick-off for Republicans. In this way, the convention functions as a sort of pep rally. Lastly, the week-long event also serves as a fundraiser, bringing together major donors and party officials.

Political party conventions can be exhausting and frustrating, but this year’s Republican convention promises to be unique—and in some instances, historic. We’ll see you there!