Donald Trump made his first public appearance just two days after being shot in Pennsylvania. The former president was greeted with a standing ovation on the first night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where a bandage could be seen over his right ear, the wound caused by the bullet.
Donald Trump was welcomed to the Republican Party convention amid applause and standing ovations as Lee Greenwood performed the song “God Bless the USA,” and on Monday, July 15, the former president confirmed his candidacy for the White House, EFE reported.
With the fist raised
The tycoon appeared serious and with a bandage on his right ear. On his way to the podium where his family and his possible vice president, JD Vance, were sitting, Trump walked with his fist raised, the same gesture he made just when the shooting broke out in Butler and he was protected by the Secret Service.
Some delegates interspersed their cheers with chants of “Fight,” the same word the former president used on Saturday, AP reported.
Joined by his children Tiffany, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., Lara Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle, the former president was emotionally received by the public.
“Unite as a party and a nation”
“We must come together as a party, and we must come together as a nation,” said Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley, who was chosen by Trump as chairman, as he opened the evening session of the national convention.
“We must show the same strength and resilience as President Trump and lead this nation into a greater future,” he added.
Donald Trump was the victim of an attack during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a man identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, managed to climb a structure where he opened fire, but was eventually neutralized by snipers.
“We should all be thankful right now that we were able to vote for President Donald J. Trump after what happened on Saturday,” said New Jersey state Sen. Michael Testa, announcing his state’s 12 delegates for Trump.
“Figure surpassed”
The conservative party had expressed its support with the delegate votes needed to continue with his campaign. In total, 2,387, almost double the minimum threshold of 1,215, said EFE.
During the convention, screens around the venue announced “total exceeded,” while the song “Celebration” played in the background and delegates waved pro-Trump signs bearing the phrase, Make American Great Once Again, AP reported.
Former President Trump arrived in Milwaukee on Sunday night, where he was greeted by supporters chanting, “You are a hero.”
He said earlier in the day that he would not let what happened change his schedule and said he was looking forward to being with his people in Milwaukee, the largest city in the key state of Wisconsin.
Lawmakers celebrated amid a heavy security presence. Trump was joined by Ohio Senator JD Vance, who has been chosen as vice president if the Republicans win the November 5 election.
With the announcement of Vance as his running mate, Trump ended weeks of uncertainty and left behind other names that had been rumored as favorites, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
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