The RNC in Review
By Jason Collins
Highlights and Takeaways
It’s been a busy week for Republicans. First was the shocking assassination attempt of presidential hopeful Donald Trump, and then four days of listening to Republicans make some bold claims, digs at Joe Biden, and nominate their president and vice president, all while celebrating what it means to be a Republican. Here’s what happened during the 2024 Republican National Convention.
A Bad Day at Butler
What was supposed to be a fun day out celebrating being a part of the campaign that seeks to “Make America Great Again” took a deadly turn when eight rounds of bullets from a semi-automatic rifle sprayed out over a Pennsylvania rally. One moment, Trump was speaking, and then the next, he wasn’t. Clips show the president hunching over and covering his ear, which the bullet grazed barely missing his head by centimeters. With blood running down his face and his Secret Service guards ushering him off the stage, he raised one fist and mouthed, “Fight, Fight, Fight” and boy, did the Republicans, and a good deal of America love that. Just wait to read what happens on day one of the RNC.
Day One: A Hero’s Return and a New VP Pick
Two days later, after being cleared from the hospital, Trump appeared at the RNC, which was hosted in Milwaukee from July 15 to July 18. His entrance to the event was iconic. Trump walked to his VIP box, rocking a white square bandage on his right ear to a crescendo of cheering. The crowds began chanting “USA,” which then morphed into the word “Fight,” which he shouted at the Pennsylvania rally. Then they started to chant, “We love Trump.” In summary, there was a lot of chanting, and people loved Trump so much that Trump supporters were also wearing bandages over their right ear in solidarity. Trump’s dramatic entrance stole the show capping a spectacularly successful first day of the convention.
Before the evening’s speeches, Trump announced his much-anticipated pick for Vice President on Truth Social, his choice delighting and rallying his populist American First base. His VP pick is Ohio Sen. JD Vance. Vance is known for writing HillBilly Elegy, a book describing the struggles of poor working people and why they support Donald Trump. A junior Senator from Ohio, Vance is known for his opposition to the war in Ukraine and his support for working-class Americans over globalist corporate interests. Although Vance had a checkered past with Trump, once called him “America’s Hitler,” the former President likes nothing better than converts to the cause. Vance was also the favorite VP option of his son Donald Jr. Vance acknowledges his past dislike of Trump and told Sean Hannity during a prime-time interview that at the time, “I bought into the media’s lies and distortions,” Vance wrote later that Monday evening on X,
What an honor it is to run alongside President Donald J. Trump. He delivered peace and prosperity once, and with your help, he’ll do it again. Onward to victory!
Day one also saw some great speeches from venture capitalist David Sack, who alleged that Biden’s senility has brought the country closer to World War 3 and then described Biden as a “puppet controlled by his staff.” Alabama senator Katie Britt claimed the country was “fading and in decline, just like Joe Biden.” Senator Tim Scott got in on the action and made a snarky remark that Biden forgot the name of a war hero.
The most memorable speaker of the evening was Amber Rose, a rapper and influencer with over 23 million Instagram followers. As a Black female and former Democrat, her endorsement of Trump seemed to be a moment where millions of people outside of the traditional Republican coalition were “given permission” to vote for the former President.
Day Two: Dropped Out GOP Candidates Bend The Knee Part 1
Day two saw presidential candidate dropouts Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis bend the knee for Trump. This was a long time coming for Haley, who had fierce competition with Trump and held out till the very end in the GOP primary despite his mocking that she should quit. Haley revealed at the convention that Trump had asked her to speak in the name of unity. She told the audience,
Trump has my strong endorsement, period.
Haley also added, “Take it from me. I haven’t always agreed with President Trump. But we agree more often than we disagree.” Although she didn’t look exactly thrilled having to endorse Trump, Haley is a political opportunist and realized any future she would have in Republican politics required her complete surrender in Milwaukee.
DeSantis also had his time behind the microphone and took this opportunity to mock Biden’s age, “Our enemies do not confine their designs to between 10 am and 4 pm.” After getting that out of his system, DeSantis also backed Trump, saying,
Life was more affordable when Donald Trump was president. Our border was safer under the Trump administration.
Day Two: Suspicious Characters and More Biden Bashing Part 2
Day two of the convention wasn’t without its drama. According to CNBC, U.S. Capitol Police arrested a 21-year-old wearing a ski mask with a concealed weapon hidden in a backpack. Initially, police observed him looking suspicious. Charges are currently pending.
It seems that Biden was a hot topic on day two as his name was uttered from many lips during multiple speeches. Michael Morin, the brother of Rachel Morin, who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant, slammed Biden’s immigration policies during his speech, “Open borders are often portrayed as compassionate and virtuous” and added,
But there is nothing compassionate about allowing violent criminals into our country and robbing children of their mothers.
Senator Tom Cotton slammed Biden’s immigration policies as well, saying, “Will we choose Joe Biden, open, borders amnesty and chaos? No, of course not. We’ll choose Donald Trump and his record of security, prosperity, and stability.”
Day Three: Trump’s VP Pick Accepts The Nomination and Kai Trump Backs Her Grandfather
Day three of the convention saw Trump’s VP pick, Vance, accepting his nomination and pledging himself to the people of America during his very first speech, which he delivered as a running mate to Trump. During his speech, he portrayed Trump as “America’s last best hope to restore what — if lost — may never be found again.” He pledged to the audience that he would not take Trump’s trust for granted and that he would work to make the country a better place again. Even Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, a lawyer and the daughter of Indian immigrants spoke for a short while about her husband while ignoring key MAGA issues focusing on being more inclusive and less partisan.
Kai Madison Trump, daughter of Donald Trump Jr., also took the stage to talk about her grandfather, Donald Trump. She stole the show. The speech in which she explained that to her, Trump was just like any other grandpa earned her bountiful smiles of adoration. Stories of golfing with her grandfather humanized the former President in ways we had not heard before. If she wants it, Kai has a bright future in politics.
Day Four: Trump Accepts Nomination and Recalls The Shooting
The last day of the convention ended with a speech from the man of the hour: Donald Trump. During his speech, Trump told the audience,
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.
He reiterated his stance that he and he alone can save the country, which is nothing new speech-wise although the tone was decidedly non-Trump. The former President was reflective, solemn, and more presidential than any time he’s been, perhaps ever.
He also briefly spoke about the shooting incident and started with, “You will never hear it from me a second time because it’s actually too painful.” He then proceeded to thank the Secret Service and God for saving him.
All in all, the RNC had its moments of bold speeches, wild claims, and softer moments that sought to paint Trump’s character as that of a kind and compassionate man. The fact that Trump barely acknowledged Biden and his VP Kamala Harris could reflect how confident Trump is that he’ll win and that the two Democratic incumbents are no match for him.
