Donald Trump was critical of the GOP convention four years ago, saying it was "boring," and hopes his front-runner status allows him to bring a "showbiz" quality to Cleveland this year,
The Washington Post reports.
"It's very important to put some showbiz into a convention, otherwise people are going to fall asleep," Trump told the Post. "We don't have the people who know how to put showbiz into a convention."
The nominee typically has a say in the convention's programming, but this year it is possible no one may yet have the required number of delegates to secure the nomination before it begins.
In such an instance the Republican National Committee likely will set a program that is acceptable to Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich that can then be adapted once a nominee is picked, former RNC Chairman Michael Steele told the Post.
But Trump, who is expected to have the most delegates even if he doesn't hit the magic number of 1,237, may also have leverage because of his front-runner status.
Trump is still unhappy about 2012 nominee Mitt Romney opting not to show a video at the convention that he filmed that mimicked his "Apprentice" TV show, according to the Post. The video featured a Barack Obama impersonator seated opposite Trump.
"I said, 'Barack Hussein Obama, you’re fired!'" Trump said. "But [Romney’s campaign] never played it. They thought it was too controversial. Stupid people. The cinematographer said it was one of the best things he ever did."
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