Trump bats for unity, introduces ambitious populist agenda at RNC finale

Donald Trump, resilient and bandaged, formally accepted the Republican presidential nomination on July 18 during the Republican National Convention.

In his speech, he vividly recounted the assassination attempt on his life five days prior and presented an extensive populist agenda, particularly emphasizing immigration reform.

The 78-year-old former president, often recognized for his fiery rhetoric, opened his speech with an uncharacteristically gentle and personal narrative drawn from his near-death experience.

With the audience in rapt attention, Trump detailed the moment he was struck on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, while looking at a chart, feeling something hit his ear, and realizing his hand was covered in blood.

"If I had not turned my head at the last moment, the bullet would have hit its mark," Trump stated. "I wouldn't be here tonight. We wouldn't be together."

Trump's address, the longest in modern convention history at just less than 93 minutes, marked the climax of the four-day Republican event in Wisconsin, a key swing state.

The convention brought together thousands of conservative activists and elected officials amid an election featuring two deeply unpopular candidates.

Leveraging his recent near-death experience, Trump adopted a new, unifying tone to bolster momentum in his favor.

"The discord and division in our society must be healed swiftly. As Americans, we are united by a common fate and shared destiny.

We rise together, or we fall apart," said Trump, wearing a large white bandage on his right ear from the injury sustained during the attack. "I am running to be president for all of America, not half, because victory for half is no victory at all."

Despite his softer tone, Trump outlined an agenda featuring what he claimed would be the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, describing illegal immigration as an "invasion." He also proposed new tariffs on trade and reiterated his "America First" foreign policy stance.

Trump continued to assert unfounded claims of fraud in the 2020 election, despite numerous investigations debunking these allegations.

He emphasized the importance of not criminalizing dissent or political disagreement, despite his history of calling for his opponents' prosecutions.

Notably absent from his speech were mentions of abortion rights, a contentious issue since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a decision influenced by three justices Trump nominated.

He also omitted any reference to the January 6 Capitol insurrection, instead referring to those jailed for the riot as "hostages." Trump mentioned the "current administration" only in passing, avoiding direct references to President Joe Biden.

In response, Jen O'Malley Dillon, Biden's campaign chair, criticized Trump, stating, "Donald Trump destroyed our economy, stripped away rights, and failed middle-class families. Now he seeks the presidency with an even more extreme vision for this country."

With less than four months remaining in the race, significant changes are anticipated. Trump's speech coincided with Biden's isolation in Delaware following a COVID-19 diagnosis, amid mounting pressure from Democratic allies questioning his re-election viability.

Hours before the convention's conclusion, Biden's deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks reiterated that Biden would not step aside, stating, "There are no plans to replace Biden on the ballot."

The RNC program appeared designed to project strength, featuring Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White calling Trump "a real American badass," a performance by Kid Rock, and wrestling icon Hulk Hogan revealing a "Make America Great Again" shirt, declaring his support for Trump.

Former first lady Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump joined Trump for his speech, making their first convention appearances but not speaking.

The convention highlighted a Republican Party transformed by Trump since his 2016 nomination, with past rivals like Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis offering their full support.

Even Trump's vice-presidential pick, Senator JD Vance, once a vocal critic, has since aligned with Trump's movement.

Security was heightened in Milwaukee following the assassination attempt, with the Secret Service and law enforcement maintaining a significant presence.

Trump, recounting his survival story, vowed not to discuss it further, saying, "I'm not supposed to be here tonight," to which the audience responded, "Yes, you are."