Both Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, former Trump rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, endorsed Trump at their party’s convention. This show of solidarity came shortly after an assassination attempt on Trump. Despite previously dismissing Trump as unfit during her campaign, Haley appealed to her followers to vote Trump over Democrat Joe Biden “for our nation’s sake”.
Hayley, the one-time UN ambassador and governor of South Carolina, took to the stage to mixed reactions. Despite this, she said: “You don’t need to agree with Trump all the time to vote for him. Trust me on this.”
DeSantis, the conservative Florida governor, was warmly received. He criticised 81-year old Biden as being over-the-hill for the role.
Trump, bearing a bandaged ear from Saturday’s assassination effort, applauded from his seat next to running mate US senator JD Vance. Vance, once a fierce Trump critic turned solid supporter, is set to headline the convention’s third night.
The Republicans hoped to draw a clear contrast with the Democrats, who have been dealing with internal strife over whether Biden should quit his re-election campaign after stumbling during a debate with Trump.
Many speeches that evening in Milwaukee focused on law and order, influenced by Trump’s firm anti-immigration stance. They fiercely criticised Biden’s policies on the southern border.
During Biden’s term, border crossings spiked while arrests went down notably following a broad asylum ban.
Trump is determined to initiate the biggest deportation operation in US history. This, however, runs counter to the message of unity he vowed to promote after the attempted assassination at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.
The evening ended with a change in tune from Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law and Republican National Committee co-chair. She stated that Americans must keep in mind “that there’s more that binds us together than sets us apart.”
A poll implemented by Reuters/Ipsos on the first two working days of the week revealed that a significant majority; 80 per cent of voters comprising both Republicans and Democrats believe the nation is on an uncontrollable trajectory.
The body responsible for law enforcement is yet to disclose the reason behind the recent assault on Mr Trump that transpired in Pennsylvania. The assailant, a 20 year old male, was neutralised on the spot by the US secret service.
The Republican convention, scheduled to span four days, will reach its climax with Mr Trump’s main event speech on the last day, Thursday. It is during this time he’ll officially accept the party’s nomination, setting stage for a replay of the 2020 face-off against Mr Biden.
Mr Biden made his inaugural campaign speech in Las Vegas early this week since the attempt on Trump’s life, reaffirming his commitment towards running for re-election. He once more shrugged off suggestions from a section of Democrats encouraging him to step aside. -Reuters.