Late Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump posted a series of tweets on Twitter explaining his decision to cancel the Republican National Convention slated for Charlotte in August. In the posts, Trump says North Carolina governor Roy Cooper refused to make specific guarantees about hotel capacity and convention access, despite a reduced threat from coronavirus:
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
…then tell them they will not be able to gain entry. Governor Cooper is still in Shelter-In-Place Mode, and not allowing us to occupy the arena as originally anticipated and promised. Would have showcased beautiful North Carolina to the World, and brought in hundreds of…
— 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
The announcement came around 9pm eastern on Tuesday, on the heels of increased chatter among Florida Republicans, including Governor Ron DeSantis and Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, who want the president to move the convention to the Sunshine State. Four days ago, Curry told News 4 Jacksonville that he’s been in talks with the Republican National Committee.
“My people have been in discussion with them,” Curry said. “Look, I was the state chairman of the Republican Party of Florida when there was a convention in Tampa, so I recognize what it takes to put one of those things on. I’m hopeful, but that’s a heavy lift.”
According to Axios:
The late-night tweet came after North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) told convention organizers earlier Tuesday that Republicans should plan for a “scaled-down convention with fewer people, social distancing and face coverings” given the impact of the pandemic.
The move could cost Charlotte $200 million in economic activity, and bring at least $100 million or more to the host city.