Donald Trump defied odds by surviving an assassination attempt. He’s now working to fire up his base for the election.
And what Trump just did at the RNC caused shockwaves around the nation.
In a dramatic return to the Republican National Convention (RNC), former President Donald Trump re-emerged not just as a beloved presidential candidate but as a heroic figure, having survived an assassination attempt only days prior and being cleared of criminal charges that Democrats aimed to leverage to end his campaign.
Sporting a bandaged ear, Trump made his grand entrance at the Fiserv Forum arena in Milwaukee on Monday. The arena was a sea of “Make America Great Again” hats and “Trump 2024” signs. Chants of “USA! USA!” and “Fight! Fight!” filled the air as the crowd celebrated the elevation of Trump as their presidential nominee just hours earlier.
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Though Trump did not deliver his speech—scheduled for Thursday—he basked in the crowd’s unwavering support before the regularly scheduled RNC programming resumed.
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Delegates described the atmosphere as “united” and “excited,” brimming with confidence about their prospects for the White House in November.
“The party is united, the COUNTRY is united,” one delegate told the Washington Examiner. “We will roll back inflation, secure our border, and make America great again.”
Early Monday morning, party members were greeted with the news that U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon had dismissed charges against Trump concerning his handling of classified documents. Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith had been unlawfully appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, a significant victory for Republicans who viewed the case as a prime opportunity for Democrats to prosecute Trump before the election.
The announcement was met with cheers and standing ovations during the separate breakfast meetings, with delegates condemning the case as politically motivated from the outset.
“In all honesty, it’s incredible that this case was even proceeding given the clear hypocrisy surrounding the Trump case versus the Biden case,” said Aaron Farris, a delegate from Minnesota. “I think it’s also important to note that the primary reason President Biden wasn’t prosecuted for his handling of classified documents was because special counsel Hur believed Biden would be portrayed as a feeble, confused, old man to a jury, which would result in his acquittal.”
Republicans spent much of the day lauding Trump for his resilience following an assassination attempt at a campaign rally over the weekend, where the president was injured in his right ear. Despite the injury, Trump posed with his fist raised in the air before being safely escorted from the stage, creating an iconic image that Republicans now use as a testament to his strength as a candidate.
“How remarkable was it to show a sense of strength of character, having the wherewithal—leadership qualities from the president with all that going on,” said Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) during a delegation breakfast on Monday. “Really inspiring, quite amazing.”
On the convention’s first day, delegates conducted a roll call to establish Trump as the GOP nominee, a routine process met with much fanfare as the former president was formally nominated for the third consecutive cycle.
Delegates also received the long-anticipated announcement of Trump’s running mate, with the former president selecting Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) as his vice presidential nominee. The news was met with widespread applause, with many delegates crafting makeshift merchandise by adding “J.D. Vance” underneath Trump’s name on his 2024 campaign signs.
“President Trump has never been stronger. Joe Biden is tanking after the debate, his party is calling for him to step aside,” Republican strategist Garrett Ventry told the Washington Examiner. “Meanwhile, Trump is surging in the polls, consolidating GOP support, surviving assassination attempts, and beating Jack Smith yet again.”
“Picking Vance is a base energizer, a perfect contrast with Kamala Harris who is from California,” Ventry said. “J.D. will help Trump win in the Midwest with a working-class message.”
The convention will continue through Thursday, with Trump expected to accept the presidential nomination on the final day.
Stay tuned to Prudent Politics.
