Donald Trump made a grand entrance on the first night of the Republican National Convention, receiving a loud ovation from supporters just two days after a would-be assassin’s bullet grazed his right ear.
Trump walked into the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee with a large bandage on his ear, while the crowd chanted “Fight! Fight! Fight,” referencing his immediate reaction after being shot.
Mouthing “Thank you,” Trump took his place in a box with some of his children and U.S. Senator J.D. Vance, who was announced as his running mate earlier that day.
Trump is set to officially accept the party’s nomination during a prime-time speech on Thursday and will face Democratic President Joe Biden in the election on November 5.
The four-day convention commenced less than 48 hours after a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one supporter. The shooter was killed, and the motive remains unclear.
During the first session, six everyday Americans were given speaking slots to discuss the impact of inflation on lower and middle-income families, while Republican leaders criticized the Biden administration for being out of touch.
Senator Tim Scott, who briefly ran against Trump for the nomination, suggested divine intervention saved Trump’s life. “Our God still saves,” Scott declared. “On Saturday, the devil came to Pennsylvania with a rifle, but an American lion got back up and roared!”
Vance, who was a strong critic of Trump in 2016, has since become one of his most ardent supporters, backing false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. He is popular with Trump’s core supporters, but it remains uncertain if he can appeal to a broader audience. His aggressive political style and conservative views on issues like abortion could alienate moderate voters.
Following Trump’s announcement, Vance appeared on the convention floor with his wife Usha, greeting delegates who gathered around them. He is scheduled to speak on Wednesday.
Biden, speaking at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, remarked that Vance is “a clone of Trump” on key issues, while other Democrats criticized Vance’s stance on reproductive rights. In an interview on Fox News, Vance affirmed his support for Trump’s position that each state should determine its own abortion policies.
Polls indicate a tight race between Trump, 78, and Biden, 81, with Trump leading in several swing states crucial for the election. Trump has not committed to accepting the election results if he loses.
Taylor Budowich, head of the main fundraising super PAC supporting Trump, announced on X that MAGA Inc raised over $50 million on Monday. Additionally, billionaire Elon Musk is reportedly planning to contribute about $45 million a month to a new pro-Trump super PAC, having endorsed Trump after the assassination attempt.
In light of the shooting, Trump stated he is revising his acceptance speech to focus on national unity rather than differences with Biden. “The speech will be a lot different than it would’ve been two days ago,” he told the Washington Examiner.
The day also marked another legal victory for Trump, as U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed federal charges against him related to classified documents retention after his presidency.
Trump is set to be sentenced in New York in September for trying to cover up a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels before his 2016 election win. However, his other two federal indictments in Washington and state charges in Georgia, connected to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, are facing delays and could be limited following a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
“This dismissal of the Lawless Indictment in Florida should be just the first step, quickly followed by the dismissal of ALL the Witch Hunts,” Trump stated on Truth Social, referencing the prosecutions of numerous supporters involved in the January 6 Capitol storming.
The assassination attempt on Trump significantly shifted the dynamics of the presidential campaign, which had been centered on whether Biden should step aside due to concerns about his age and performance following a shaky debate on June 27. Several of Biden’s fellow Democrats have called for him to withdraw from the race and let the party choose another candidate.
This week, all eyes will be on Trump. Having solidified his control over the party, he has the chance to deliver a unifying message or depict a grim view of a nation besieged by a corrupt leftist elite, a theme he has used on the campaign trail.
Trump has often resorted to violent rhetoric, labeling his adversaries as “vermin” and “fascists.” Biden has characterized Trump as a threat to U.S. democracy, a portrayal some Republicans argue contributed to the atmosphere leading to the shooting, although the motive remains undetermined.
In response to the shooting, Biden aimed to reduce tensions after months of heated political discourse. “There is no place in America for this kind of violence,” he stated in a Sunday address from the White House.
In a Monday interview, Biden acknowledged it was a “mistake” to tell donors it was “time to put Trump in the bullseye,” but pointed out that Trump has frequently used inflammatory language.
Biden has ordered an independent review to investigate how the gunman could get so close to Trump, while congressional investigators are seeking to question the head of the U.S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting the former president.
