After pushing for the North Carolina governor to allow the Republican National Convention to continue in the state at full capacity, President Donald Trump is saying the Republican Party is being “forced” to move the convention elsewhere.
In a tweet on Tuesday night, the president wrote, “Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love.”
He went on to suggest North Caroline Gov. Roy Cooper (D) refuses “to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena.”
“Would have showcased beautiful North Carolina to the World, and brought in hundreds of millions of dollars, and jobs, for the State,” Trump tweeted, before adding, “Because of [Gov. Roy Cooper], we are now forced to seek another State to host the 2020 Republican National Convention.”
Trump previously threatened to move the convention elsewhere if the state did not allow the convention to proceed without coronavirus restrictions.
Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love. Now, @NC_Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena – Spend millions of dollars, have everybody arrive, and…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2020
…millions of dollars, and jobs, for the State. Because of @NC_Governor, we are now forced to seek another State to host the 2020 Republican National Convention.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2020
Trump’s remarks followed Cooper’s on Tuesday where the governor wrote a letter to Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, as IJR reported.
“I am in receipt of your letter of May 30, 2020, demanding a ‘full convention’ which includes ‘19,000 delegates, alternative delegates, staff, volunteers, elected officials and guests inside the Spectrum Center,'” Cooper wrote, adding, “You also require ‘full hotels and restaurants and bars at capacity.’ In my conversations with you and President Trump Friday night, you want us to guarantee a full arena.”
Cooper later added, “Neither public officials nor I will risk the health and safety of North Carolinians by providing the guarantee you seek.”
The North Carolina governor’s letter follows McDaniel’s letter to him listing out coronavirus safety protocols for his consideration.
McDaniel has indicated that other states have offered to host the convention. According to Politico, Republicans are exploring Nashville, Tenn., among other places, as a potential site for the upcoming convention scheduled for August 25 to August 27.