Milwaukee – Donald Trump made a dramatic entrance at the Republican National Convention, receiving a warm welcome from party supporters just days after surviving an assassination attempt. The former president entered the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee to loud cheers, his ear visibly bandaged after being grazed by a bullet. This appearance came hours after his official nomination as the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
The crowd chanted “Fight! Fight! Fight!” in reference to Trump’s reaction following the shooting. Trump, unusually subdued, waved from a box where he sat with his newly chosen running mate, U.S. Senator J.D. Vance.
The attack, which occurred at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday and resulted in the death of a supporter, highlighted the intense political divisions in the lead-up to the November 5 election between Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden. Biden condemned the violence, urging Americans to use the ballot box, not violence, to express their political differences. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting, which ended with the gunman being killed by the U.S. Secret Service.
In an NBC interview aired during the convention, Biden expressed regret for previously saying Trump should be put in the “bullseye,” while also criticizing Trump for his frequent use of violent rhetoric. Biden has ordered an independent review to understand how the gunman managed to get so close to Trump despite heavy security.
The four-day convention will conclude with Trump’s prime-time address on Thursday, where he will formally accept the nomination. The recent events have shifted attention away from Biden, who has faced speculation about his campaign following a poor debate performance last month. In a recent interview, Biden denied any intention of dropping out of the race and focused on countering Trump’s debate claims. Despite increased public appearances, some Democrats remain concerned about Biden’s re-election prospects.
Trump’s choice of J.D. Vance as his running mate marks a significant shift for the Ohio senator, who has evolved from a vocal Trump critic to one of his most steadfast allies. Vance, known for his confrontational style, is expected to energize the Republican base, though his appeal to moderate and independent voters remains uncertain. Biden referred to Vance as a Trump “clone,” and Democrats have criticized Vance’s stance on abortion rights, a contentious issue for Republicans.
In a recent Fox News interview, Vance supported Trump’s view that states should decide on abortion laws individually. Public opinion polls show a close race between Trump and Biden, with Trump leading in several key swing states.
On Monday, Trump celebrated another legal victory when U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed federal charges in Florida related to the illegal retention of classified documents. Trump is also awaiting sentencing in New York for attempting to cover up a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. However, his other legal battles, including federal charges in Washington and state charges in Georgia related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, face delays and complications following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting him immunity for many official acts as president.
