Silicon Valley Billionaire To Speak At Trump Republican Convention
MENLO PARK (CBS / AP) – A Silicon Valley billionaire who backs Donald Trump is among the political outsiders scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention next week.
Peter Thiel, who co-founded PayPal and is on the board of directors at Facebook, is expected to address delegates at the convention, according to The Associated Press.
Possibly the first openly gay speaker at a national Republican convention, Thiel's appearance comes after delegates refused to soften the GOP's opposition to same-sex marriage in the party platform.
Thiel recently made headlines after it was revealed he bankrolled lawsuits against Gawker Media, including a suit brought on by wrestler Hulk Hogan involving a sex tape. Hogan won a $140 million judgment against Gawker, and the online media outlet has recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Other political outsiders expected to make appearances include four of Trump's children, college football star Tim Tebow and UFC president Dana White. Two survivors of the 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya will also speak, along with religious leader Jerry Fallwell Jr.
Many prominent Republicans have decided to skip next week's convention in Cleveland, including former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. Sen. John McCain and former Gov. Mitt Romney, the last two GOP presidential nominees.
Elected officials planning to appear at the RNC include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who ran against Trump.
The RNC begins Monday in Cleveland.
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