Who Was in Trump’s VIP Box at the RNC?
Photo by Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
The most prominent seats at the 2024 Republican National Convention were the three rows of white chairs in Donald J. Trump’s VIP box. During each of the convention’s four nights, members of the Trump family and prominent guests filed in and out, joining the former president as he took in the show.
Below you can see some of the people spotted in the box each night.
Monday
Mr. Trump entered the arena in triumph on the first night of the convention, just two days after being shot in the ear by a would-be assassin. At his side were his recently announced vice presidential nominee, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, and Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, one of the evening’s speakers.
Photo by Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
Photo by Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
Also in the box were Trump family members, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who presided over the vote on Trump’s official nomination.
Tuesday
Several Senate candidates and House leaders joined Trump in the box Tuesday night, with many also speaking from the podium, advocating for handing control of Congress to Republicans in November.
Photo by Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
Photo by Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
The final speaker of the evening was Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee and Trump’s daughter-in-law. The first member of the Trump family to speak from the convention stage, she spoke about the attempt to frame Trump for his life in personal terms and focused on his roles as a father and grandfather.
Trump responded with applause, flanked by Mr. Vance and Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the House Majority Leader.
Photo by Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times
Photo by Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times
Wednesday
Trump began his evening in the arena alongside Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, one of the finalists to be Trump’s running mate but who was ultimately passed over.
Other allies who spoke were also featured in the segment, including Callista Gingrich, the former ambassador to the Holy See, and her husband, Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives and 2012 presidential candidate.
Photo by Todd Heisler/The New York Times
Photo by Todd Heisler/The New York Times
Mr. Vance closed the convention’s third night with a nearly hour-long speech introducing himself and his economic vision to the nation. Mr. Trump looked at his running mate as he sat next to Mr. Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, a lawyer, and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, another person who was being considered to join Mr. Trump on the ticket.
Several of Trump’s family members appeared in the box at the time. Kai Trump, 17, Mr. Trump’s eldest grandson, also spoke that night, describing him as “just a regular grandpa.”
Photo by Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times
Photo by Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times
Thursday
By the time Mr. Trump delivered his speech, the box was largely filled with members of his family. Mr. Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, both of whom served as senior advisers to Mr. Trump during his first term, made their first appearance in the arena on Thursday.
His wife Melania also made her debut that week, taking her place in the box just before her husband gave his speech of thanks.
Photo by Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
Photo by Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
