Two days after surviving an attempted assassination, former President Donald Trump appeared triumphantly at the Republican National Convention’s opening night with a bandage over his right ear, the latest compelling scene in a presidential campaign already defined by dramatic turns. GOP delegates cheered wildly when Trump appeared onscreen backstage and then emerged in the arena, visibly emotional, as musician Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA.” That was hours after the convention had formally nominated the former president to head the Republican ticket in November against President Joe Biden. The convention resumes Tuesday, when the focus shifts to immigration, an issue central to Trump’s political brand that helped endear him to the GOP base when he began his first campaign in 2015.
Quick Read
- Two days after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention with a bandage over his right ear.
- Trump received a raucous welcome from GOP delegates as he emerged onstage, visibly emotional, while Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA.”
- The convention had formally nominated Trump to head the Republican ticket in November against President Joe Biden.
- On Tuesday, the convention’s focus will shift to immigration, a central issue to Trump’s political brand.
- Trump did not address the hall on Monday, saving his acceptance speech for Thursday, but joined his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, to listen to the night’s speeches.
- Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley emphasized the need for party and national unity, highlighting Trump’s strength and resilience.
- Whatley and other GOP leaders made clear that their calls for harmony did not extend to Biden and the Democrats, criticizing their policies as dangerous to America.
- The convention was designed to feature a softer and more optimistic message, aimed at appealing to moderate voters and people of color.
- Monday’s session focused on the economy, with speeches from “everyday Americans” including a single mother, a union member, and a small business owner.
- Featured speakers included Black Republicans like U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas, who criticized rising prices and urged for Trump’s re-election.
The Associated Press has the story:
RNC to focus on immigration a day after a bandaged Trump makes triumphant entrance
Newslooks- MILWAUKEE (AP) —
Two days after surviving an attempted assassination, former President Donald Trump appeared triumphantly at the Republican National Convention’s opening night with a bandage over his right ear, the latest compelling scene in a presidential campaign already defined by dramatic turns.
GOP delegates cheered wildly when Trump appeared onscreen backstage and then emerged in the arena, visibly emotional, as musician Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA.” That was hours after the convention had formally nominated the former president to head the Republican ticket in November against President Joe Biden. The convention resumes Tuesday, when the focus shifts to immigration, an issue central to Trump’s political brand that helped endear him to the GOP base when he began his first campaign in 2015.
Trump, accompanied by a wall of Secret Service agents Monday, did not address the hall — with his acceptance speech scheduled for Thursday — but smiled silently and occasionally waved as Greenwood sang. He eventually joined his newly announced running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, to listen to the night’s remaining speeches, often with a subdued expression and muted reactions uncharacteristic for the unabashed showman.
The raucous welcome underscored the depth of the crowd’s affection for the man who won the 2016 nomination as an outsider, at odds with the party establishment, but has vanquished all Republican rivals, silenced most conservative critics and now commands loyalty up and down the party ranks.
“We must unite as a party, and we must unite as a nation,” said Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley, Trump’s handpicked party leader, as he opened Monday’s prime-time national convention session. “We must show the same strength and resilience as President Trump and lead this nation to a greater future.”
But Whatley and other Republican leaders made clear that their calls for harmony did not extend to Biden and Democrats, who find themselves still riven by worries that the 81-year-old question is not up to the job of defeating Trump.
“Their policies are a clear and present danger to America, to our institutions, our values and our people,” said Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, welcoming the party to his battleground state, which Trump won in 2016 but lost to Biden four years ago.
Trump’s campaign chiefs designed the convention to feature a softer and more optimistic message, focusing on themes that would help a divisive leader expand his appeal among moderate voters and people of color.
On Monday, a night devoted to the economy, delegates and a national TV audience heard from speakers the Trump campaign pitched as “everyday Americans” — a single mother talking about inflation, a union member who identified himself as a lifelong Democrat now backing Trump, a small business owner, among others.
Featured speakers also included Black Republicans who have been at the forefront of the Trump campaign’s effort to win more votes from a core Democratic constituency.
U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas said rising grocery and energy prices were hurting Americans’ wallets. “We can fix this disaster,” Hunt said, by electing Trump and sending “him right back to where he belongs, the White House.”
