Former US President Donald Trump made a notable appearance at the Republican National Convention held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the 15th of this month. Wearing an ear bandage, Trump officially launched his third bid for the presidency, following his campaigns in 2016 and 2020. This marked his first public appearance since surviving an assassination attempt during a campaign rally two days prior.
The convention, held at the Fiserv Forum, saw Trump being officially nominated as the Republican presidential candidate through a roll call vote of delegates. He secured the nomination with the support of 2,387 delegates. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm as Trump entered the venue to standing ovations and cheers, frequently thanking the attendees and making his characteristic clenched fist gesture.
Trump's campaign adopted a theme of 'Make America Rich Again,' with speeches heavily criticizing President Joe Biden's economic policies, dubbed 'Bidennomics,' while praising Trump's own economic strategies, referred to as 'Maganomics.' Notably, the convention also saw the nomination of Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio as Trump's vice presidential candidate.
Security was tightened around the convention venue following the assassination attempt on Trump. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Secret Service reviewed and reinforced their security plans. Despite the heightened security, a protest by anti-Trump groups took place outside the security perimeter, criticizing Trump's policies on women, sexual minorities, and immigration.
In a media interview, Trump emphasized that his acceptance speech would focus on national unity, describing it as an opportunity to bring the country and the world together. He is scheduled to deliver this speech on the 18th, the final day of the convention, where he will outline his vision and pledges for the next administration.
The assassination attempt and Trump's resilience have become a focal point of his campaign, portraying him as a figure of indomitable strength. His opponent, President Joe Biden, also addressed the incident, calling for a step back to reflect on the violence and emphasizing the importance of resolving conflicts through ballots, not bullets.
- Trump's appearance at the convention was marked by his decision to continue with his planned agenda despite the assassination attempt. He refused to let the incident derail his campaign, underscoring his determination to reclaim the White House.
- The Republican National Convention also adopted new platforms and policies, which emphasized national interests in foreign policy and defense investment obligations of allies. These policies are essentially a condensed version of Trump's campaign message.
- Trump's meeting with independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. was seen as a strategic move to explore potential support. However, Kennedy Jr. clarified that he had no intention of withdrawing from the race.
- The convention featured speeches from various politicians and ordinary citizens, with many praising Trump's survival of the assassination attempt as a 'miracle of God.' Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who was once a contender for the vice presidential nomination, remarked on the miraculous nature of Trump's survival.
