Republican Convention To Feature Slate Of Viral Conservative Stars: St. Louis Couple, Covington Teen And More

Patricia and Mark McCloskey, the St. Louis homeowners who gained national attention for wielding guns at protesters marching through their private neighborhood, were announced as speakers at the Republican National Convention on Monday, as the Democrats kicked off their first night with headliners Michelle Obama, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

President Trump has repeatedly defended the couple, who was later charged with a class E felony for unlawful use of a weapon, siding with those who thought the McCloskeys had a right to defend their private property with arms. 

Also speaking at the RNC is Covington Catholic High School graduate Nicholas Sandmann, who recently settled with multiple news organizations over a 2019 viral video in which the MAGA-clad teen was accused of being disrespectful to Omaha tribe elder Nathan Phillips—but later footage showed Sandmann and his classmates were themselves being taunted by another group.

Former Planned Parenthood clinic director turned anti-abortion activist Abby Johnson and Andrew Pollack, the father of Parkland shooting victim Meadow Pollack, will also deliver speeches during the four-day event. 

Other speakers include First Lady Melania Trump, several of Trump’s children, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, GOP senators Tim Scott and Joni Ernst, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Pennsylvania congressional candidate Sean Parnell.