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Trent Conaway to Speak at Republican National Convention

Former President Donald Trump greets Mayor of East Palestine, Ohio, Trent Conaway, as he speaks at the East Palestine Fire Department during a visit to the area in the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 22, 2023. | Matt Freed/AP

Trent Conaway, the mayor of East Palestine, Ohio, is scheduled to speak at the upcoming Republican National Convention. Conaway is set to address the delegates on July 17, the third night of the convention, which coincides with the vice-presidential nominee’s speech. However, the date of his appearance may change according to sources involved in the planning.

Former President Donald Trump visited East Palestine on February 22, 2023, following a train derailment that released toxic chemicals into the community. During his visit, Trump criticized the Biden administration for its response to the crisis, asserting that the administration had shown “indifference and betrayal” towards the blue-collar town.

Trump’s visit to East Palestine was part of his strategy to connect with working-class voters in key Rust Belt states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The visit marked a significant moment in his campaign, which faced challenges early on due to controversies surrounding Trump’s meeting with Kanye West and Nicholas Fuentes and his subsequent call for the “termination of all rules…even those found in the Constitution.”

Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, a potential vice-presidential pick for Trump, helped organize the East Palestine trip and appeared with Trump and Conaway. Donald Trump Jr. is also slated to speak on the same night at the convention.

Mayor Conaway has been a vocal critic of President Joe Biden, particularly regarding his delayed visit to East Palestine following the derailment. Conaway expressed his frustration during a February 2023 Fox News interview, where he criticized Biden for visiting Ukraine instead of addressing the crisis in East Palestine.

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