These would-be speakers at RNC got snubbed: The big names missing in Milwaukee

WASHINGTON – The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week will feature a full roster of former President Donald Trump's loyalists, from notable pro-Trump business leaders to more than three dozen members of Congress, six GOP governors and members of the Trump family.

But there are plenty of boldface Republicans missing from the list – including many who would have plenty to gain from taking the stage in front of the thousands of delegates and millions watching on TV.

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Some appear to be insufficiently MAGA, while others may be a little too committed.

Here's who got snubbed from the speakers' list this year:

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell

A number of Trump-backing business owners are speaking at the convention, including Bob Unanue of Goya Foods and Diane Hendricks of ABC Supply.

Missing from the list is the Minnesota businessman who has become one of the business world's most outspoken evangelizers for Trump's false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election: Pillow impresario Mike Lindell.

Few can out-MAGA Lindell.

However, the millionaire has lately found himself in legal trouble , including one case related to election denial claims. His absence from the speaker list could be an indication that Lindell has fallen out of favor with the former president, or that the Trump team is trying to avoid elevating election deniers while focusing on the race ahead.

More: MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a Trump ally, has his phone seizure case rejected by Supreme Court

Sens. John Thune and John Cornyn

GOP Whip Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, are both running to replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell when he steps down from leadership at the end of the year – along with Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who is speaking at the convention.

Neither Thune nor Cornyn are among the senators closest with Trump, and Thune in particular has spoken out against Trump's claims that he won the 2020 presidential election and survived a Trump-endorsed primary challenger in 2022 only to endorse the president earlier this year.

But both could benefit from a moment in the spotlight at the conservative confab, as they'll have to prove their fundraising connections in the broader GOP world in order to convince their conference to vote for them as leader.

Sean Hannity

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson is one of the featured speakers, but there will be no such slot for Sean Hannity, a longtime friend of Trump's who hosts his own show on the network.

Trump regularly appears on Hannity's program and the anchor is among Trump's favorite media personalities, despite the lack of a speaking role at the convention this year.

Hannity caught flak from Fox News bosses in 2018 after attending a Trump rally.

Rep. Lauren Boebert

Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert is one of Congress' most outspoken Trump supporters , and even went up to New York to sit in on his hush-money trial as a show of support.

Unlike many of her ardent House peers, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., Boebert will not get a speaking spot at this year's gathering.

Ivanka Trump

A number of Trumps' family members will give speeches at the convention, including sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, as well as RNC co-chairman Lara Trump and Donald Trump Jr.'s fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle.

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But Ivanka Trump, who served as a senior advisor to her father during his first term in office and was a prominent figure in the administration, is not speaking, despite reportedly attending the convention.

Ivanka Trump has been more distant from Donald Trump's campaign since 2020, saying in statements that she is prioritizing her family at this time.

Other prominent members of the Trump family, including Trump's wife Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump's husband Jared Kushner, are also missing from the lineup.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These would-be speakers at RNC got snubbed: The big names missing in Milwaukee