RNC releases list of planned speakers

The Republican National Committee released today its highly anticipated list of speakers for next week’s star-studded convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

The convention’s theme parallels presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump’s campaign slogan: “Make America Great Again.” Core issues to be discussed will include national security, immigration, trade and jobs.

Several of Trump’s former foes in the primary election are listed as speakers: Gov. Mike Huckabee,Ben Carson, Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Chris Christie and Gov. Scott Walker.

Cruz is the only one of the five who hasn’t endorsed Trump, andsaid in Junethat he’s not readyto endorse the former businessman, a position that hasn’t seemed to change since.

Six Trumps will speak, too: Donald, his wife Melania, and kids Donald Jr., Eric, Ivanka and Tiffany.

That’s how many sitting senators will address the audiences, too: Joni Ernst, Iowa; Cruz, Texas; Jeff Sessions, Ala., Tom Cotton, Ark., Mitch McConnell, Ky. and Shelley Moore Capito, W. Va.Seven sitting House members will also speak.

Senate Majority Leader McConnell pledged support to Trump in May, but threatened to revoke his endorsement after Trump’s inflammatory comments about a Latino judge.

Other notable Republicans include House Speaker Paul Ryan, who endorsed Trump in May aftera month-long holdout; former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani; Gov. Rick Scott and party chairman Reince Priebus, who has urged party unity behind Trump.

There were rumors that big names in sports like Mike Tyson, Tom Brady and Mike Ditka would speak at the convention. Those were untrue. On the list are Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, female golfer Natalie Gulbis and Dana White, head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

What the list won’t tell you, obviously, is who’s notably missing.

We already knew that former Bush president won’t be attending, and neither will is brother Jeb Bush. Former 2016 presidential candidate Marco Rubio and 2008 candidate Mitt Romney also said they won’t head to Cleveland.

But Sarah Palin, who stumped for Trump several times during the primary election season, won’t be there.

Trumptold the Washington Examiner Thursday that she was invited to speak, but Palin said Alaska is “a long ways away.”

To see the full list of speakers, click here.