And then there was Trump: What's happening on Day 4 of the GOP convention
CLEVELAND — A moment that seemed inconceivable a year ago will be written into American political history Thursday night as Donald Trump formally accepts the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.
Here's a guide to all the action:
'If it can’t be fun, what’s the point?'
It was a worldview Trump expressed in his 1987 book The Art of the Deal, and by all indications, it's been a guiding philosophy of his presidential run.
"Aren’t Trump rallies fun?" the GOP nominee has asked supporters at his campaign events.
Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide
On Thursday night, when his speech closes out the convention, it's fair to assume Trump will have fun basking in a moment that just a fraction of even the most successful of American politicians have ever enjoyed — and he's doing it in his first run for public office.
But this is hardly just another free-wheeling Trump rally. The Republican presidential nominee will not just be addressing doting supporters in the hall but millions of Americans who may still be unsure whether they could truly see the former star of The Apprentice as a credible commander in chief. It's the sort of high-stakes moment even Donald J. Trump has yet to experience, but surely one he'll enjoy.
Ivanka Trump gets the starring role
The Trump family has been the common denominator throughout the four-day convention. On Monday, there was Melania Trump, Trump's wife whom he introduced in dramatic fashion. Suffice it to say, that appearance could've gone better.
Trump aide takes responsibility for Melania speech
Tuesday night, it was Tiffany Trump and Donald Trump Jr.'s turn, followed by Eric Trump on Wednesday.
Trump children offer personal tales of their father
But the pre-eminent slot belongs to Ivanka Trump, the GOP nominee's oldest daughter, who's scheduled to introduce her father Thursday night.
Ivanka Trump, like her brothers Donald Jr. and Eric, is a senior executive in the the Trump Organization, serving as executive vice president of development and acquisitions. She's also well known to the American public, as a former model and with a recurring role on The Apprentice.
And apparently she makes quite the impression. "His best running mate, by the way, would be Ivanka," Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker told NBC earlier this month after meeting her.
Alas, the Trump/Trump ticket will never be, but with her key role Thursday night, Ivanka Trump will demonstrate again there's perhaps no one more influential in the real estate mogul's orbit than her.
Ivanka for VP? Eric Trump, Bob Corker support Trump/Trump ticket
Reince Priebus takes the stage after the longest year of his life
Or if it wasn't, it has to be right up there. In 2013, the Republican National Committee chairman released a party autopsy following the 2012 election loss that called for, among other things, broadening the party's appeal with minority groups and building a more inclusive GOP.
Three years later, Priebus presided over a primary race with a front-runner who offended Hispanics from his campaign's very first day, debates that often degenerated into an exchange of personal insults and a nominee who does not enjoy the support of the party's former presidents or its past two nominees.
So yeah, Priebus has had his hands full over the course of the 2016 race as he prepares to address delegates on the convention's final night. But for better or worse, he has his nominee, a party that comes out of its convention more united than at least it was during the most bitter moments of the primary campaign (well, sort of) and a Democratic opponent who's favored, but flawed.
Others to watch
• Peter Thiel: A Silicon Valley billionaire, PayPal co-founder and Trump supporter, Thiel is no stranger to headlines. In May, it was revealed he was secretly backing Hulk Hogan in his lawsuit against Gawker Media.
Tech execs blast Trump as anti-innovation - except not Peter Thiel
• Jerry Falwell Jr.: The Liberty University president endorsed Trump early this year and boosted the thrice-married real estate mogul's bona fides among evangelicals.
