Bandaged Trump Enters RNC After Surviving Assassination Attempt

Two days after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention’s opening night. Wearing a bandage over his right ear, Trump’s entrance added another dramatic moment to an already eventful campaign.

Republican delegates cheered loudly when Trump was shown onscreen backstage and entered the arena. He appeared emotional as Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA.” This happened hours after the convention officially nominated him to run against President Joe Biden in November.

On Tuesday, the convention will focus on immigration, which has been an important issue for Trump and his supporters since his first campaign in 2015.

Surrounded by Secret Service agents on Monday, Trump did not speak to the crowd, saving his acceptance speech for Thursday. Instead, he smiled, waved, and listened to Greenwood’s performance. He later joined his new running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, to watch the evening’s speeches, often looking more subdued than usual.

The enthusiastic welcome showed the strong support Trump has within the party. After winning the 2016 nomination as an outsider, he has since become a dominant figure, quieting most critics and gaining broad support in the GOP.

“We must unite as a party, and we must unite as a nation,” said Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley, Trump’s chosen party leader, as he opened Monday’s session. “We must show the same strength and resilience as President Trump and lead this nation to a greater future.”

However, Whatley and other Republican leaders made it clear that their calls for unity did not include Biden and the Democrats. The Democratic Party is still worried about Biden’s ability to compete at 81 years old, and GOP speakers have criticized their policies.

“Their policies are a clear and present danger to America, to our institutions, our values, and our people,” said Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, welcoming the party to his state, which Trump won in 2016 but lost to Biden in 2020.

Trump’s campaign team aimed to present a softer and more hopeful message, focusing on themes that could attract moderate voters and people of color. Monday night was dedicated to the economy, with speakers introduced as “everyday Americans” by the Trump campaign. These included a single mother talking about inflation, a union member who is now supporting Trump, and a small business owner.

Prominent Black Republicans also spoke, reflecting Trump’s efforts to win votes from a group that usually supports Democrats. U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas talked about how rising grocery and energy prices are affecting Americans.

“We can fix this disaster,” Hunt said, urging people to elect Trump and send “him right back to where he belongs, the White House.”