In a highly anticipated and emotional appearance, former President Donald Trump with a bandage over one ear made his first public appearance at the Republican National Committee (RNC) in Milwaukee since surviving an assassination attempt. The event was charged with tension and anticipation as Trump, visibly moved, took the stage to address his supporters and the nation. The former President was greeted with overwhelming applause from thousands of supporters, just two days after surviving an assassination attempt.
Trump entered the convention arena with a fist raised, accompanied by a live performance of “God Bless the USA.” He walked slowly through the crowd of cheering delegates, some of whom were visibly emotional, before greeting key political allies and three of his children. His wife, Melania Trump, was notably absent.
The atmosphere was electric as the audience chanted “Fight! Fight! Fight!”—a rallying cry that echoed Trump’s defiance after a bullet grazed his ear at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday. Riding a wave of political momentum, Trump’s return comes at a time when the Democratic Party is facing internal doubts about 81-year-old Joe Biden’s candidacy following a poor debate performance last month.
At the Fiserv Forum, Trump spent about an hour listening to speeches while seated next to his newly announced running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance. Vance’s place on the ticket was revealed just hours before the convention. Although Trump did not deliver a speech, he appeared deeply moved by the crowd, bowing his head in prayer and repeatedly mouthing “Thank you, everybody.” Many supporters and delegates had been waiting for hours to see him, despite his appearance not being officially scheduled for the opening day.
Trump’s return was the pinnacle of an eventful first day at the RNC in Wisconsin, one of the crucial battleground states for the upcoming election. Before the convention began, news broke that a federal judge had dismissed criminal charges against Trump concerning the storage of over 300 classified documents at his Florida resort after his first term. Judge Aileen Cannon, appointed by Trump, ruled that Special Prosecutor Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed and lacked the authority to bring a 37-count indictment against Trump. This legal victory means Trump is unlikely to face another criminal trial before the November 5 election.
Following the convention’s opening, nearly 2,500 Republican delegates formally nominated Trump as their presidential candidate during a roll call vote. This nomination, coupled with Trump’s emotional appearance, underscored his dominance in the party and the steadfast loyalty of his supporters, despite the recent assassination attempt.