Teamsters Boss Delivers Well-Received Barnburner at RNC Railing Against Corporations, Elites

‘We are not beholden to anyone or any party,’ he said, but praised Republicans who worked with him on paid sick leave.

AP/Julia Nikhinson
The Teamsters president, Sean O'Brien, speaks during the Republican National Convention on July 15, 2024, at Milwaukee. AP/Julia Nikhinson

MILWAUKEE — The president of the Teamsters union may yet emerge as a key surrogate for President Trump in the 2024 election after he delivered a barnburner speech Monday at the Republican convention — an address that railed against “corporatists” and the “elites” and during which he demanded strong protections for unions and those hoping to join a union. 

Teamsters president, Sean O’Brien, a brash Bostonian, was well-received by attendees at the opening day of the 2024 RNC, at many points receiving thunderous applause from party apparatchiks who themselves may not even have imagined that they would be cheering for a big union boss one day. 

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