Milwaukee, WI — In a dramatic display of party unity, Donald Trump was celebrated at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday by former rivals who had leveled harsh critiques at him just months ago. This show of solidarity starkly contrasts the divisions increasingly evident within the Democratic Party.
Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador and Trump’s final challenger in the GOP primary, directly addressed her supporters after taking the stage to a mix of cheers and boos. “My message to them is simple: You don’t have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him,” Haley said.
Following her was Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a former Trump ally turned primary rival who has worked to rebuild his relationship with the former president since dropping out of the primary. “Donald Trump has been demonized. He’s been sued. He’s been prosecuted. And he nearly lost his life,” DeSantis told the crowd. “We cannot let him down. And we cannot let America down.”
Such overtures are typical in political conventions, where the purpose is often to bring a party together after bitter primaries. However, the Haley and DeSantis appearances were particularly notable given the personal animosity that had defined this year’s GOP contest — much of it directed by Trump at Haley and DeSantis.
Contrast with Democratic Dynamics
The displays of unity within the GOP stood in stark contrast to the dynamic facing Democrats. Many Democrats are increasingly uncertain that President Joe Biden is the right choice to take on Trump in the upcoming election. DeSantis, who was once seen as best positioned to challenge Trump’s dominance in the party, had been slow to criticize Trump directly before eventually accusing him of repeatedly failing to follow his promises.
Haley, meanwhile, had painted Trump as chaotic and suggested the 78-year-old was too old to serve another term. Unlike DeSantis, she did not immediately endorse Trump after dropping out, waiting a few months to announce her support. Biden’s campaign quickly resurrected Haley’s past criticisms. Austin Weatherford, a spokesperson for Biden’s campaign, stated, “Ambassador Haley said it best herself: someone who doesn’t respect our military, doesn’t know right from wrong, and ‘surrounds himself in chaos’ can’t be president.”
Immigration: A Key Theme
Immigration remained a central theme throughout the convention, a hallmark of Trump’s political brand since his first campaign in 2015. Trump has consistently criticized the high number of migrants entering the country illegally through the U.S.-Mexico border. Unauthorized crossings have reportedly fallen abruptly after Biden issued a rule suspending many asylum claims at the border.
During rallies and other campaign events, Trump has often highlighted crimes committed by migrants and blamed illegal immigration for the trafficking of drugs like fentanyl, despite federal data suggesting many people smuggling fentanyl are U.S. citizens. He has vowed to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric has also included unfounded claims that migrants are entering the country to vote in the 2024 election. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise echoed this sentiment, stating, “Biden and Harris want illegals to vote now that they’ve opened up the border.”
Several speakers shared personal stories of loss linked to immigration. Michael Morin, whose sister Rachel Morin was allegedly killed by a fugitive from El Salvador, spoke to the audience. “Joe Biden and his designated ‘border czar’ Kamala Harris opened our borders to him and others like him, empowering them to victimize the innocent,” Morin said.
Assassination Attempt and Security Concerns
The recent attempt on Trump’s life during a rally in Pennsylvania loomed over the convention. Trump appeared at the convention with a bandage, a reminder of the incident. Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise, who survived a politically-motivated shooting in 2017, shared his own experience and praised Trump’s leadership. “While I was fighting for my life, Donald Trump was one of the first to come to console my family at the hospital. That’s the kind of leader he is. Courageous under fire, compassionate towards others,” Scalise said.
Increased security measures were evident at the convention. A man armed with an AK-47 pistol and wearing a ski mask was taken into custody near the Fiserv Forum, where the convention is being held. Additionally, five Ohio police officers in Wisconsin for the convention shot and killed a man involved in a knife fight near the event.
Anticipation for Trump’s Speech
There is growing anticipation for Trump’s speech, which is slated for Thursday. Trump, known for his fiery rhetoric and promises of prosecuting opponents, seemed poised to deliver a more toned-down address. His son, Donald Trump Jr., mentioned that he spent hours reviewing his father’s speech to de-escalate some of the rhetoric. “I think it lasts,” the younger Trump said of his father’s rhetoric change. “There are events that change you for a couple of minutes, and there are events that change you permanently.”
Despite the attempts at a softer tone, Tuesday’s programming included references to Trump’s old grievances, including his disproven theories of election fraud. One primetime speaker, Madeline Brame, criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and echoed Trump’s long-standing narrative. “They’re after us,” she said. “He’s just standing in the way.”
The Republican National Convention has also highlighted a key element of Trump’s political brand: immigration. Trump has long been vocal about the issue, criticizing the high number of migrants entering the country illegally. Unauthorized crossings have reportedly fallen since Biden issued a rule suspending many asylum claims at the border. During his campaign events, Trump has often highlighted crimes committed by migrants, blaming illegal immigration for the trafficking of drugs like fentanyl, despite federal data suggesting that many individuals smuggling fentanyl are U.S. citizens. Trump has promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric has also included unfounded claims that migrants are entering the country to vote in the 2024 election. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise echoed this sentiment, stating, “Biden and Harris want illegals to vote now that they’ve opened up the border.”
Several speakers shared personal stories of loss linked to immigration. Michael Morin, whose sister Rachel Morin was allegedly killed by a fugitive from El Salvador, spoke to the audience. “Joe Biden and his designated ‘border czar’ Kamala Harris opened our borders to him and others like him, empowering them to victimize the innocent,” Morin said.
Assassination Attempt and Security Concerns
The recent attempt on Trump’s life during a rally in Pennsylvania loomed over the convention. Trump appeared at the convention with a bandage, a reminder of the incident. Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise, who survived a politically-motivated shooting in 2017, shared his own experience and praised Trump’s leadership. “While I was fighting for my life, Donald Trump was one of the first to come to console my family at the hospital. That’s the kind of leader he is. Courageous under fire, compassionate towards others,” Scalise said.
Increased security measures were evident at the convention. A man armed with an AK-47 pistol and wearing a ski mask was taken into custody near the Fiserv Forum, where the convention is being held. Additionally, five Ohio police officers in Wisconsin for the convention shot and killed a man involved in a knife fight near the event.
Anticipation for Trump’s Speech
There is growing anticipation for Trump’s speech, which is slated for Thursday. Trump, known for his fiery rhetoric and promises of prosecuting opponents, seemed poised to deliver a more toned-down address. His son, Donald Trump Jr., mentioned that he spent hours reviewing his father’s speech to de-escalate some of the rhetoric. “I think it lasts,” the younger Trump said of his father’s rhetoric change. “There are events that change you for a couple of minutes, and there are events that change you permanently.”
Despite the attempts at a softer tone, Tuesday’s programming included references to Trump’s old grievances, including his disproven theories of election fraud. One primetime speaker, Madeline Brame, criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and echoed Trump’s long-standing narrative. “They’re after us,” she said. “He’s just standing in the way.”
The Republican National Convention has also highlighted a key element of Trump’s political brand: immigration. Trump has long been vocal about the issue, criticizing the high number of migrants entering the country illegally. Unauthorized crossings have reportedly fallen since Biden issued a rule suspending many asylum claims at the border. During his campaign events, Trump has often highlighted crimes committed by migrants, blaming illegal immigration for the trafficking of drugs like fentanyl, despite federal data suggesting that many individuals smuggling fentanyl are U.S. citizens. Trump has promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric has also included unfounded claims that migrants are entering the country to vote in the 2024 election. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise echoed this sentiment, stating, “Biden and Harris want illegals to vote now that they’ve opened up the border.”
Several speakers shared personal stories of loss linked to immigration. Michael Morin, whose sister Rachel Morin was allegedly killed by a fugitive from El Salvador, spoke to the audience. “Joe Biden and his designated ‘border czar’ Kamala Harris opened our borders to him and others like him, empowering them to victimize the innocent,” Morin said.
