Ben Carson to speak at GOP convention, says Armstrong Williams
Ben Carson is slated to speak at the Republican convention in Cleveland, top aide and Carson pal Armstrong Williams says.
"He is speaking," Armstrong Williams told The Hill on Friday, and then tweeted.
@RealBenCarson will speak at GOP convention https://t.co/hJCgLJC6HC
— Armstrong Williams (@Arightside) July 1, 2016
Williams also praised Trump's convention planning to The Hill, characterizing Trump's organization as "much more organized in its convention planning than you can imagine."
Carson's staff downplayed Williams' statement.
"There have been talks regarding Dr. Carson speaking at the Republican National Convention, but nothing has been set in stone at this time," an aide told CBS News. "Further details will come at a later time"
Carson, a former rival, has spoken out frequently on Trump's behalf since he ended his presidential bid. He has vouched for him before evangelical leaders and is also helping with the vice presidential selection process.
Trump had indicated he wanted to put together a star-studded GOP convention this month -- Bloomberg Politics reported Mike Tyson, Mike Ditka an Bobby Knight would be speaking. Ditka has since declined, saying Wednesday to the Chicago Tribune that "giving a speech at a convention isn't really my style." And Trump tweeted this week that Mike Tyson "was not asked to the speak at the Convention."