DONALD TRUMP SPEAKS AT RNC 2024

Former President Donald Trump speaks on the final day of the RNC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 18, 2024. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)
Former President Donald Trump speaks on the final day of the RNC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 18, 2024. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)
U.S
Trump promises to be president of all Americans in convention speech
The former president accepted the Republican Party's presidential nomination and closed a convention modeled on his style.
BY JANICE HISLE, LAWRENCE WILSON AND NATHAN WORCESTER
07/19/2024 12:23 Updated: 07/19/2024 12:23

Article translated and adapted from English, published by the American headquarters of the Epoch Times.
Former President Donald Trump took the stage on the final night of the Republican National Convention to accept his party's nomination for president for the third time.

“The discord and division in our society must be healed. As Americans, we are united by a single, shared destiny,” said the former president. “We rise together and we fall together.”

“I’m running to be president of all of America, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning for half of America.”

The speech, which lasted around 90 minutes, often punctuated by applause and cheers, emphasized the expansion of the republican coalition as a way of unifying the country.

A white rectangular bandage covered the wound on his right ear caused by the recent assassination attempt as he spoke about his vision for the country, contrasting his achievements while in office with President Joe Biden's record.

Reporting the assassination attempt
Before delving into this political vision, former President Trump described his experience on July 13th.

In a moderate tone, the former president said that he was hit in the right ear shortly after starting his speech, and later saw blood when he touched his ear with his hand.

“There was blood running everywhere and yet, in a way, I felt very safe, because I had God on my side,” he said.

The former president praised the Secret Service members on duty that day and the crowd, which remained calm rather than rushing toward the exits.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) opened the evening’s program with a reminder that “we were only half a cent away from holding a memorial service instead of a nominating convention. And we thank God here tonight for protecting President Trump.”

“I stand before you only because of the grace of Almighty God,” the Republican candidate said.

He remembered Corey Compatore, a supporter who was killed while using his own body to protect his family. He also named the other two who were seriously injured but now recovering. Before continuing with the speech, the former president asked for a minute of silence in honor of Compatore.

The attack made former President Trump more determined than before to continue his campaign, he said.

“Our resolve is unbreakable and our purpose remains unchanged: to create a government that serves the American people,” Trump said.

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and members of the Trump family celebrate after Trump officially accepted the Republican presidential nomination on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 18, 2024. ( Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump and members of the Trump family celebrate after Trump officially accepted the Republican presidential nomination on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 18, 2024. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Softer tone

Former President Trump's behavior and delivery were noticeably more moderate than in his speeches. He abandoned his planned convention speech and wrote it himself after the assassination attempt, putting the finishing touches on the morning of July 18, according to a source familiar with the campaign. He also went much of the speech, including the entire description of the shooting, off script.

Terra Krachenfels, a Trump campaign volunteer in Iowa, feels the near-death experience changed the party leader.

“I feel like your eyes have changed. He's softened. I think he can feel everyone's love even stronger,” said the mother of 12, adding that he is perhaps more grateful than ever to be alive.

The former president spent several minutes acknowledging the support of family, including his wife, Melania, who was present for the first time during this convention, and longtime friends and supporters, including Terry Bolea, better known as Hulk Hogan, and musician Kid Rock.

“President Trump had a A near-death experience, without a doubt,” said religious leader Franklin Graham. “When we have these experiences, it changes us.”

Balloons fall after former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump accepted his party's nomination on the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 18, 2024. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
Balloons come down after former president and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump accepted his party's nomination on the final day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 18, 2024. ( Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
Promised changes

The former president warmed to a familiar list of topics as he began to describe his vision, becoming more animated at points.

“Under our leadership, the United States will be respected again. No nation will question our power. No enemy will doubt our power,” he said, promising not to lead the country into new wars and to quickly resolve the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

“We will soon be a great nation again,” he said.

The candidate promised an administration guided by vision, strength and common sense. He lamented the influx of illegal immigrants into the country, saying, “Americans are being pushed out of the workforce and their jobs are being taken away.” He added that minority populations were most affected by the problem.

“Inflation has destroyed our citizens’ savings and forced the middle class into a state of depression and despair,” he said.

Referring to the Republican platform, a brief document that identifies 20 action items, the former president promised swift action to address immigration, inflation, crime and other policy areas. This includes reducing prices by increasing energy production, reducing taxes to stimulate economic growth and reallocating money from green energy projects to infrastructure.

If elected, former President Trump declared several actions that would be taken on the first day of his second administration. This included ending electric vehicle mandates and securing the southern border.

Thanks to these and other related actions, the former president said: “Under my plan, incomes will soar, inflation will disappear, jobs will come back with a vengeance, and the middle class will prosper like never before.”

The former president mentioned God on several occasions.

“If the events of last Saturday make anything clear, it is that every moment we have on Earth is a gift from God,” he said. “We have to make the most of every day for the people and country we love.”

After he concluded his remarks, the Trump family joined him on stage as thousands of red, white and blue balloons descended over the arena.