Donald Trump will next week receive the Republicans' official blessing to run for president -- the first ever convicted felon to be a nominee for one of the two major US parties.

The 78-year-old billionaire will be the star of the show as Milwaukee rolls out the red carpet for the Republican National Convention (RNC), transforming the Wisconsin city into a fortress to welcome 50,000 attendees.

Despite a year in which he was convicted of 34 campaign finance felonies and fined a fortune in fraud and sexual assault lawsuits, convention-goers will find Trump in good spirits as his opponent flounders.

Trump has seen his poll lead expand since President Joe Biden's disastrous TV debate performance last month ushered in an existential crisis for the Democratic Party.

The Trump campaign is even talking up its chances in Democrat strongholds like Minnesota and Virginia, potentially forcing Biden funds and manpower away from defending the Democrat "blue wall" in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

"It's no coincidence the convention will lay out President Trump's vision to restore........

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