Trump to speak at party convention on same day as King Harald’s funeral

President Donald Trump says he will attend a Republican national convention in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 9 and 10, putting the event on the same dates as the funeral of Norway’s King Harald.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that he would speak on the first evening and remain for an early finish and “lots of music” on the second. The gathering is a national Republican convention ahead of the November midterm elections. The Associated Press described it as the first time the party has held a nationwide convention before a midterm election.

According to the program described by Fox News, Vice President J.D. Vance is scheduled to speak on Sept. 9, while Trump is listed for Sept. 10. King Harald’s funeral is due to take place at 1 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Oslo Cathedral.

That scheduling makes it unlikely that Trump will attend the funeral. It had remained unclear whether Trump or Vance would represent the United States, and the White House has not said who will attend on the country’s behalf.

King Harald died on Friday last week. King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark were among the first to announce that they would attend the state funeral, and Queen Margrethe is also expected to go. Other foreign leaders and royals include the presidents of the three Baltic states, the entire Swedish royal family and Japan’s crown prince and princess. More guests are expected to be announced. When King Harald’s father, King Olav, was buried in 1991, heads of state and royals from 103 nations attended.

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I’ll speak the first night and stay for an early finish and lots of music the second night. See you in Dallas.