Trump convention highlights family members, celebrities

The speakers at Donald Trump's convention next week will include a smattering of congressional leaders, former primary competitors, celebrity supporters, Benghazi survivors and members of the candidate's family, the Republican National Committee announced Thursday.

There's also a Las Vegas casino owner, a pro golfer and a former underwear model.

"The convention’s theme, 'Make America Great Again,' will focus on the core themes of Republican Presidential Nominee Donald J. Trump’s campaign: national security, immigration, trade and jobs," said Jeff Larson, CEO of the 2016 Republican National Convention, in release an initial list of speakers.

Two of the announced speakers — Mark Geist and John Tiegen — are survivors of the 2012 attack on a U.S. facility in Benghazi, Libya, the focus of one of the nights at next week's convention. Trump and other Republicans have criticized Democratic candidate and former secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her handling of the attack that killed four Americans, including an ambassador.

The GOP released only a partial speakers' list; for example, Republican officials said they expect retired quarterback Tim Tebow to speak at the convention in Cleveland.

The list also features some of the people Trump is considering for the running mate slot, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions and former House speaker Newt Gingrich. Another favorite for running mate is not on the list released Thursday: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, an absence likely to fuel speculation that he is Trump's choice.

Trump says he will announce running mate on Friday

A few of Trump's primary opponents are on the list, including Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Dr. Ben Carson, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

The initial speakers' list is notable for other absences — including John Kasich, a former Trump opponent who is governor of Ohio. It is unclear whether Kasich will even attend the convention. Sarah Palin, the 2008 vice presidential nominee who was an early and ardent supporter of Trump, was also not on the list released Thursday.

A number of high-profile Republicans who have criticized Trump plan to skip the convention, but scheduled speakers do include lawmakers like House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa.

Four of Trump's children — Ivanka, Eric, Donald Jr. and Tiffany — are also scheduled to speak during convention week; his oldest children have become highly influential advisers over the course of their father's campaign.

There are also religious speakers — including Jerry Falwell Jr. and Haskel Lookstein, the New York rabbi who converted Ivanka Trump to Judaism — and guests from the business world, including Las Vegas casino owner Phil Ruffin and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel.

Sports celebrities attending the convention include golfer Natalie Gulbis and Dana White, president of Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Also on the list: former underwear model Antonio Sabàto Jr.

"A final list of speakers and information on convention themes will follow," Larson said.

Trump spokesman Jason Miller said: "This impressive lineup of veterans, political outsiders, faith leaders and those who know Donald Trump the best — his family and longtime friends — represent a cross-section of real people facing the same challenges as every American household."

Thursday's list is below:

Pastor Mark Burns                                                     
Phil Ruffin                                                               
Congressman Ryan Zinke                                        
Pat Smith                                                                  
Mark Geist                                                                
John Tiegen                                                             
Congressman Michael McCaul                                 
Sheriff David Clarke                                                 
Congressman Sean Duffy                                        
Darryl Glenn                                                            
Senator Tom Cotton                                                   
Karen Vaughn                         
Governor Mike Huckabee                                       
Mayor Rudy Giuliani                                              
Melania Trump                                                         
Senator Joni Ernst                                               
Kathryn Gates-Skipper                            
Marcus Luttrell                                         
Dana White             
Governor Asa Hutchinson   
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge    
Michael Mukasey 
Andy Wist          
Senator Jeff Sessions        
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn   
Alex Smith         
Speaker Paul Ryan    
Congressman Kevin McCarthy 
Kerry Woolard .
Senator Shelley Moore Capito 
Dr. Ben Carson
Co-Chair Sharon Day
Natalie Gulbis
Kimberlin Brown
Antonio Sabato, Jr.
Peter Thiel
Eileen Collins
Senator Ted Cruz
Newt Gingrich
Michelle Van Etten
Lynne Patton
Eric Trump
Harold Hamm
Congressman Chris Collins
Brock Mealer
Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn
Governor Mary Fallin
Darrell Scott
Lisa Shin
Governor Rick Scott
Chairman Reince Priebus
Tom Barrack
Ivanka Trump
Attorney General Pam Bondi
Jerry Falwell Jr.
Rabbi Haskel Lookstein
Chris Cox
Senator Mitch McConnell
Tiffany Trump
Governor Chris Christie
Donald J. Trump Jr.
Governor Scott Walker