Donald Trump was set to unveil his running mate on Monday as supporters gathered in Milwaukee for the Republican Party convention, an event electrified by the recent attempt on the former president’s life.
With the nation still processing the shocking images of a bloodied Trump being escorted off a rally stage over the weekend, around 50,000 Republicans converged on Lake Michigan’s shores for the four-day convention.
Trump is expected to announce his vice presidential candidate later today, with top contenders including Senators J.D. Vance of Ohio and Marco Rubio of Florida, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
Convention organizers stressed that the event would continue despite the recent attack on Trump. “We’re not going to change anything because of a tragic event in Pennsylvania,” David Bossie, a convention co-chair, told AFP.
The assassination attempt, which resulted in one bystander’s death and injuries to two others, is set to overshadow the convention, just four months before the election against Democrat President Joe Biden.
In the aftermath of the attack, Trump dismissed any notion of postponing the convention, vowing to remain “defiant in the face of wickedness.” “I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” he told the New York Post during an interview aboard his plane en route to Milwaukee, where he sported a white bandage on his ear and a large bruise on his forearm from Secret Service agents’ efforts to protect him. “By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here,” he added.
Despite his legal troubles, including a recent conviction in a hush-money case, Trump is riding high in the polls and appears poised for victory as Biden, 81, faces growing concerns about his age from within his own party.
In a legal win for Trump, a judge dismissed the criminal case against him over accusations of endangering national security by retaining top-secret documents after leaving the White House. Trump quickly took to Truth Social to call for the dismissal of all legal cases against him, reiterating his claim of political targeting.
Trump mentioned to the Post that he had “prepared an extremely tough speech” about Biden’s administration to deliver when he becomes the official Republican nominee on Thursday. Some Republicans, including Vance, blamed Democrats’ anti-Trump rhetoric for the attack, while Trump expressed a desire to “unite our country.” However, this goal may be challenging given his tendency to settle scores, as demonstrated by his call for supporters to “fight” in the moments following the attack.
The attempt on Trump’s life has reignited fears of political violence in a country already deeply polarized. Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, has distanced himself from Trump after supporters threatened his life during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot for refusing to overturn the election results.
The Secret Service, facing criticism for its handling of the recent shooting, assured it is “fully prepared” to ensure security at the convention.
The convention is largely reflective of Trump’s influence, with digital banners in the arena proclaiming, “Make America Great Once Again,” showcasing his domination of the party. Following his 2020 election loss and the ensuing Capitol riot, Trump has spent the past four years reshaping Republican politics, installing loyalists such as his daughter-in-law Lara Trump in key positions within the Republican National Committee and effectively silencing dissent.
The Milwaukee convention is a family affair, with Lara Trump and the former president’s two eldest sons, Don Jr. and Eric, all scheduled to address the delegates.
