Trump reappears after the attack to be chosen as the Republican candidate
Former President Donald Trump has reappeared on the public stage two days after surviving an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. Wearing a bandage on his right ear, Trump made a triumphant entrance on the opening night of the Republican National Convention to a standing ovation from his most loyal supporters.
Visibly moved and accompanied by several members of the Secret Service, Trump did not digest the crowd but smiled and waved as musician Lee Greenwood sang "God Bless the USA".
[ 🇺🇸 ÉTATS-UNIS ]
— (Little) Think Tank (@L_ThinkTank) July 16, 2024
🔸 Première apparition publique de Donald Trump, 48 heures après la tentative d'assassinat. pic.twitter.com/LFSV3K6ix6
This convention has served for the Republicans to formally elect Trump to head the Republican ticket in the upcoming November elections against incumbent President Joe Biden. In turn, Trump has chosen Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, a former opponent who became a loyal ally, as his vice-presidential challenger, as the former president himself announced on his social network Truth.
"After long deliberation and reflection, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the office of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio," Trump announced as the Republican National Convention began in Milwaukee.
After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio. J.D. honorably served our…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 15, 2024
"We must come together as a party and as a nation," declared Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley - personally chosen by Trump as the party's leader - as he opened the national convention. "We must show the same strength and resilience as President Trump and lead this nation to a better future," he added, according to AP.
Last Saturday's shooting of Trump was clearly present at the gathering, although the events were mainly celebratory. Some of the participants chanted "fight, fight, fight", the same words Trump shouted to the crowd on Saturday as the Secret Service dragged him off the stage, fist raised and face bloodied.
In another clear reference to the attack, New Jersey state senator Michael Test announced the endorsement of his state's 12 delegates for Trump, noting he was "grateful" to be able to cast these votes after what happened.
Biden admits "it was a mistake" to say Trump had to be put "in the bull's eye"
Trump's formal nomination coincides with another Biden interview on the campaign trail in which he tried once again to demonstrate his ability to lead the country for another four years, despite concerns even within his own party.
In Biden's first interview since the Trump assassination attempt, the current president admitted to having made a "mistake" by saying during a campaign event that Trump had to be "targeted" just days before the attack on the tycoon.
In an exclusive interview with Lester Holt, President Biden said it was a mistake to use the word “bullseye” while discussing former President Trump, but said to “focus on what [Trump is] doing”. pic.twitter.com/TufdyiZq8v
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) July 15, 2024
Following the incident, Republicans condemned the remark and some even openly blamed Biden for inciting the attack on Trump. The US president has qualified his words during his interview with NBC News, assuring that he was referring to "focusing" on Trump and his ideas rather than the literal meaning of the expression.
