Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 15 July 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The US Republican Party begins its national convention on Monday, setting the stage for Donald Trump to be officially confirmed as the party's nominee for the November presidential election, just days after an attempt on his life.

Trump is also set to name his running mate for vice president at the event in the city of Milwaukee in the Midwestern US state of Wisconsin.

The four-day Republican National Convention opens just two days after a shooting at a Trump campaign rally sent shockwaves through the United States and plunged an already tumultuous campaign into dark territory ahead of the November 5 election.

Prior to the attempted assassination, the race had been dominated by questions about 81-year-old President Joe Biden's age and mental acuity, with many Democrats urging him to step aside for a younger candidate to take on Trump.

At the campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday a shooter was able to climb to an elevated position with an assault rifle and fire a number of shots at Trump, causing panic to break out in the audience.

Trump, 78, was hit in the ear by a bullet and left bleeding, but struck a defiant tone as he pumped his fist while being whisked off the stage.

A firefighter watching the rally was killed and two others seriously injured.

FBI officials later said the perpetrator, killed by Secret Service agents, was 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. His motive for the shooting is not yet clear, with the FBI's investigation ongoing.

In the wake of the assassination attempt, Biden instructed the Secret Service to review security measures for his Republican rival's convention.

Controversial topics that could alienate some Republican voters, such as the party's stance on abortion or the storming of the Capitol by Trump's supporters in January 2021, are set to be avoided at the convention, according to US media reports.

Trump arrived in Milwaukee on Sunday evening.

What is a nominating convention?

After the internal state-by-state party primaries, both the Democrats and the Republicans officially confirm their overall result at national level. This takes place at their respective conventions, usually on the final day.

High-profile Republicans and members of Trump's family are set to address the crowd over the four days.

The Democrats will meet in Chicago, Illinois, in mid-August. This time, the Republican nominating convention is being held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What are delegates?

Delegates are party members who are sent to the nominating convention from all 50 states and six territories. Based on the primary election results, they officially choose their party's presidential candidate.

The system is inconsistent and complex. The Republicans have around 2,400 delegates. To win the nomination, a candidate must have secured at least 1,215 delegate votes.

Trump is expected to easily get this amount. Upon the conclusion of the Republican primaries earlier this year, he is entitled to a total of at least 2,265 delegate votes.

Why Wisconsin?

It is no coincidence that the Republicans have chosen Wisconsin. It is a so-called "swing state," meaning a state in which both parties have a strong chance of winning. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden won by a sliver over Trump. This time too, the race is shaping up to be extremely close.

Many local politicians welcome the conventions, regardless of their own party affiliation, as they bring economic benefits. The mayor of Milwaukee is a Democrat and has actively sought the event. The Democratic nominating convention was due to be held there in 2020 - but the coronavirus pandemic cancelled those plans.

More than 50,000 visitors are expected in Milwaukee this week, spending money on hotels, restaurants, transport and entertainment.

Photo: EPA