MILWAUKEE — On the final night of the Republican National Convention, former President Donald Trump accepted the GOP presidential nomination and predicted an “incredible victory” in November to raucous applause.
“I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning for half of America,” Trump said after he surprised the crowd by appearing onstage during the musical rendition of “God Bless the USA.” “So tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States.”
The winding address that lasted about an hour and a half was his first since a gunman attempted to assassinate Trump during a Saturday rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which has cast a long shadow over the convention. Trump’s ear was bandaged from a gunshot wound, and delegates throughout the week began to bandage their own ears in a show of unity with the former president.
“As you already know, the assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life. So many people have asked me what happened, tell us what happened please, and therefore I’ll tell you what happened, and you’ll never hear it from me a second time because it’s too painful to tell,” Trump explained.
“I had God on my side,” Trump said of his survival. He later announced that $6.3 million had been raised for the families of the victims of the rally, including Corey Comperatore, the former fire chief who died.
Trump solidifies hold over GOP after assassination attempt
The Thursday night address represents Trump’s complete domination of the GOP eight years after transforming American politics in the modern era. Most Republican dissension against Trump has turned into a whimper, with many of his harshest critics losing influence in the national party or bending to Trump’s vision.
“I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” Trump said, but the crowd roared back, “Yes you are!
“Thank you,” Trump answered. “But I’m not.”
UFC President and CEO Dana White introduced Trump, who had appeared at the convention all three previous nights but didn’t speak. Instead, he portrayed himself as a silent warrior figure who watched the crowd and speakers champion his legacy to the American public. “He is willing to risk it all because he loves this country,” White said in a laudatory remarks.
Trump previously told the Washington Examiner’s Salena Zito that he rewrote his convention speech in the wake of Saturday’s events. The former president wanted his new speech to reunite the country and meet the demand of this critical moment.
Several speakers referenced the miraculous nature of Trump’s survival on Saturday and attributed the former president’s refusal to cower to the fighting spirit that will propel him to victory in November against President Joe Biden.
“I have seen this man dragged through hell and back, in and out of courtrooms, indictments, impeachments, mug shots, and even an assassination attempt, and yet, he has never backed down,” Lara Trump, the Republican National Committee co-chairwoman and the former president’s daughter-in-law, said when she spoke on Tuesday.
“What was my father’s reaction when his life was on the line? Not to cower, not to surrender, but to show for all the world to see that the next American president has the heart of a lion,” Donald Trump Jr. said on Wednesday.
A somber Trump lays out his vision
Trump’s speech was initially toned down from his usual boastful campaign rallies where he excoriates Democrats. Instead, Trump started his speech in a somber tone and briefly mentioned some remarks against his political foes but tended to focus on unity and reaching out to voters who can extend the GOP tent, although he did later revert to some of his usual campaign stump.
“I am here tonight to lay out a vision for the whole nation. To every citizen, whether you are young or old, man or woman, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, black or white, Asian or Hispanic, I extend to you a hand of loyalty and friendship,” Trump said. “Together, we will lead America to new heights of greatness like the world has never seen before.”
The former president touched on his domestic and foreign policy vision for the nation including securing the southern border, easing the pain of inflation, bolstering the middle class, bringing back manufacturing jobs to the U.S., and tempering down the international crisis in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Trump also bragged over his Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, claiming he would continue the legislation and end all taxes on tips, a boon to restaurant workers.
“With proper leadership, every disaster we are now enduring will be fixed—and fixed quickly. So tonight, whether you’ve supported me in the past or not, I hope you will support me in the future, because I will bring back the American Dream,” Trump said. “That’s what we’re going to do. With great humility, I am asking you to be excited about the future of our country.”
The address to the convention is likely to be the longest in American presidential history at about one hour and 30 minutes. It broke his record of one hour and 14 minutes in 2016 and one hour and 10 minutes in 2020.
Trump also remains disciplined in not interjecting himself into the national conversation as Biden flounders and attempts to hold on to the Democratic presidential nomination despite growing calls from party members to step down.
Trump celebrates family members, team, and GOP base
During his speech, Trump thanked his family members for their support in his third presidential bid, including his wife Melania Trump, and daughter Ivanka Trump, both of whom did not speak at the convention. Melania received a standing ovation after Trump praised her. Melania and Trump later embraced onstage after he concluded his remarks, sharing a cheek kiss.
Trump also warmly praised his running mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), who spoke one day earlier. “I am thrilled to have a new friend and partner fighting by my side: the next VICE PRESIDENT of the United States, the current Senator from Ohio, J.D. Vance, and his incredible wife, Usha,” said Trump.
“J.D. you’re going to be doing this for a long time. Enjoy the ride,” Trump offered as words of advice to Vance.
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Several delegates told the Washington Examiner before Donald Trump spoke that they fully expected him to galvanize the crowd, which has been waiting to hear the former president since he appeared on the convention floor on Monday.
“I hope that it’s a unifying speech. I hope that it puts America first,” Rachel Sikes, a Texas delegate wearing a bride-to-be sash, said. “I hope that it puts, even above America, I hope that it puts God first. I hope that he brings us together as a nation and does what he promises in his speeches and what he said up to this point.”
