The remarkable return of former President Donald Trump to the Republican National Convention came after his narrow escape from an assassination attempt and subsequent acquittal on the criminal charges that Democrats had hoped to exploit to derail his candidacy.
Amidst a sea of “Make America Great Again” caps of all hues and “Trump 2024” banners, Trump triumphantly entered the Fiserv Forum venue in Milwaukee on Monday, sporting a bandaged ear. Hours after they nominated the ex-president for president, the audience chanted “USA! USA!” and “Fight! Fight!” many times.
Preparing for Thursday’s address, Trump instead took in the enthusiastic reception from the audience before the RNC’s regularly scheduled programming got underway.
Confident in their ticket’s ability to capture the White House in November, delegates expressed a sense of unity and excitement about the mood.
“The party is unified, and the country is united,” remarked one delegate to the Washington Examiner. “Our agenda includes reversing inflation, strengthening border security, and restoring America’s greatness.”
The news broke during Monday morning’s breakfast gatherings that U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed charges against Trump for his handling of sensitive materials. Dropping the charges was a huge victory for Republicans, as Democrats had seen the case as a chance to prosecute the ex-president before the election. Cannon’s ruling that Attorney General Merrick Garland unlawfully appointed special counsel Jack Smith to head the case was a key factor in the decision.
At each morning gathering, delegates greeted the announcement with applause and standing ovations, despite their earlier accusations that the case was politically motivated.
“To be completely honest, it’s mind-boggling that this case was even moving forward considering the blatant double standard between the Trump issue and the Biden case,” Minnesota delegate Aaron Farris remarked. “The principal rationale for not prosecuting President Biden for his handling of secret materials was, according to special counsel Hur, the belief that a jury would perceive Biden as a frail, bewildered, elderly man, leading to his acquittal,” the author writes.
Republicans spent much of the day applauding Trump after the president’s attempted assassination at a campaign event over the weekend, during which a piercing occurred in the top portion of his right ear. Once removed from the platform, Trump stood famously with his fist up, a photo that Republicans have used to tout his dominance in the race.
“How extraordinary was it to exhibit a sense of strength of character, having the capacity — leadership characteristics from the president with all that going on?” Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) inquired during a delegation breakfast on Monday. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) posed this question during a delegation breakfast on Monday. “Impressive, very remarkable.”
Amidst much hoopla, the delegates formally nominated the former president for a third straight term on the opening day of the convention—a procedure that is normally commonplace but which established Trump as the GOP contender.
Former President Trump also finally announced his running mate to delegates: Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH). Delegates at the convention erupted in a round of applause at the revelation, and some even went so far as to create their own merchandise by adding “J.D. Vance” beneath Trump’s name on his 2024 campaign placards.
The strength of President Trump is unparalleled. According to Republican strategist Garrett Ventry, who spoke with the Washington Examiner, Joe Biden’s party is demanding that he resign since his performance in the debate was disastrous. “At the same time, Trump is dominating Jack Smith once again, strengthening GOP support, and surviving assassination attempts.”
“Choosing Vance is a ground-level energizer, in stark contrast to Kamala Harris, a California native,” Ventry said. “J.D. will be essential to Trump’s Midwest victory by echoing the working class.”
Crowd has erupting in different cheers:
“USA! USA!”
“Fight! Fight! Fight!”
“We love Trump! We love Trump!” pic.twitter.com/PYYCKvP84B— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) July 16, 2024
From Tuesday through Thursday, the convention will go on as scheduled, with Trump likely accepting the presidential nomination on Thursday, the last day.
