Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to Speak at GOP Dinner

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is set to address the Oakland County Republican Party dinner on August 21, marking his first major public appearance since his sentence was commuted by former President Donald Trump over three years ago. The event will take place at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, starting at 5:30 p.m. Kilpatrick's speech is expected to center on themes of "repentance and redemption," as noted by county GOP chairman Vance Patrick in a social media announcement. Kilpatrick, who served as Detroit's mayor from 2002 to 2008, was convicted in 2013 on multiple charges, including bribery, extortion, and racketeering, leading to a 28-year prison sentence. His sentence was commuted in January 2021 after he had served seven years behind bars. The former mayor's return to the public eye comes amid ongoing discussions about his controversial past and the implications of his political rehabilitation. The 132nd Lincoln Day dinner will also feature notable guest speaker Ben Carson, who held the position of U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during Trump's administration. The event is anticipated to draw attention not only for Kilpatrick's remarks but also for the broader political context surrounding his re-emergence in the Republican Party. As Kilpatrick prepares to share his story, the dinner represents a significant moment in his journey, reflecting both personal transformation and the complexities of political redemption in contemporary America.