Trump cancels Republican convention in Florida as virus soars

President Donald Trump has cancelled the Republican party convention in Florida, citing the pandemic, as US coronavirus cases passed 4 million.

“It’s not the right time for that,” he said, adding that he would still give a convention speech in a different form.

The sheriff in Jacksonville warned this week the city was not ready for such a party jamboree next month.

The event was relocated from Charlotte, North Carolina, after that state imposed social distancing rules.

Although the Jacksonville events have been called off, some delegates will still gather in Charlotte.

Mr Trump told Thursday’s White House coronavirus briefing that safety was his primary concern behind the decision.

At that event, the president will formally accept his party’s nomination to be its standard-bearer in November’s presidential election.

Opinion polls suggest Mr Trump is facing an uphill battle for a second term in office amid criticism of his handling of the pandemic.

Last month, the Democratic convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, also due to take place in August, was drastically scaled back.

Mr Trump’s challenger, Joe Biden, will be formally nominated by his party at that event.