Teamsters President Sean O’Brien is set to address the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July, signaling an effort by former President Donald Trump’s campaign to attract union members away from President Joe Biden.
According to Teamsters union spokesperson Kara Deniz, O’Brien’s appearance at the RNC does not signify an endorsement of Trump. O’Brien has also requested to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August, but the DNC has not yet confirmed if they will accept his request.
Trump announced O’Brien’s participation on his Truth Social platform, stating, “Our GREAT convention will unify Americans and demonstrate to the nation’s working families they come first.” Trump expressed excitement to see O’Brien represent the Teamsters in Milwaukee, emphasizing a commitment to “Make America Great Again.”
Deniz conveyed the union’s gratitude for Trump’s invitation, noting that it will be the first time a Teamsters General President addresses the RNC. She emphasized the importance of amplifying the message of the union’s 1.3 million members to a wide audience, including political candidates.
Trump and O’Brien met at Mar-a-Lago in January, leading to a subsequent meeting with the union’s leadership. Not all union leaders were supportive, with some highlighting Trump’s anti-union record and denouncing his actions. However, the Teamsters have not officially endorsed any candidate, maintaining a neutral stance.
Although Biden has shown strong support for unions, meeting with Teamsters leadership and engaging with labor issues, the union’s political arm has not committed to endorsing him. O’Brien himself has been critical of certain Republicans, showcasing a willingness to engage in disputes, as seen in a previous Senate hearing.
As the DNC finalizes its lineup of speakers for the August convention in Chicago, spokesperson Matt Hill emphasized the focus on highlighting President Biden’s pro-union agenda and commitment to the working class.
Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s Gregory Krieg and Kristen Holmes.
