Trump's ex-rival Haley to speak at Republican convention

Nikki Haley, Trump's former rival, had previously said she wouldn't attend the RNC

Donald Trump's former rival Nikki Haley is set to speak on the second day of the Republican National Convention, after previously saying she would not attend the event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The former South Carolina governor is listed as a speaker at the event, where another of Trump's defeated former rivals, Ron DeSantis, is also expected to deliver a speech.

Ms Haley unsuccessfully challenged Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and spent months sparring with the former president.

But last week, she instructed her 97 delegates to vote for Trump at the convention as she called for unity in the party.

The BBC has contacted Ms Haley's spokesperson for comment.

The former United Nations ambassador has a fraught history with Trump. Having previously served in the Trump administration, she spent months attacking him during her campaign for president, calling him "unhinged".

Trump hit back with a host of insults, mocking Ms Haley with nicknames like "bird brain".

After dropping out of the race in March due to a poor performance in the primaries, Ms Haley initially declined to endorse Trump. Two months later, she said she planned to vote for him.

Trump has said Ms Haley will be in his next administration "in some form".

After a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania last Saturday, Ms Haley posted on social media that she was "lifting up Donald Trump" in prayer.

The second day of the Republican National Convention comes after Trump announced his pick for vice president, Ohio Senator JD Vance.

A host of politicians will take the stage on Tuesday, with a theme of "Make America Safe Once Again". Several of Trump’s 2020 Republican primary opponents will speak tonight, likely in praise of the man they raised and spent millions trying to beat.

In addition to Ms Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, once seen as a possible 2024 nominee, will take the stage this evening.

Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur-turned-Trump-surrogate, is scheduled to address the arena as well.

Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas – who Trump beat in the 2016 election – are expected to speak in support of his nomination.

Tonight will also feature prominent lawmakers like Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York and several Republican candidates for US Senate including Dave McCormick, who is again running in Pennsylvania.