12:36 Spahn praises Trump's foreign political positions
Union Faction Chief Jens Spahn has praise for Trump's positions in foreign policy. Spahn mentioned on MDR approximately Trump's stance on containing China and Israel's existence. The former Federal Health Minister also went on Trump's announced peace initiative for Ukraine. He said Europeans should "be part of these talks" and should not be content with the spectator role. Spahn, who was an observer at the Republican Party convention, emphasized to the Redaktionsnetzwerk that Trump "was often right politically." "Our Iran policy was wrong in hindsight, his was right. Our policy on Nord Stream 2 was wrong, he had warned us." Trump has been calling "for years" that Europe should do more for its security, said Spahn. "We had kept our eyes closed for too long."
11:52 Communication expert: Trump sounds "unusual tones"
With over 90 minutes, Donald Trump delivers the longest nomination speech yet. This is not just a "typical campaign with a ton of fake news," says communication expert Christian Galvez, but also "unusual tones" for the Republicans:
11:26 Trump's performance reminds security experts of "Life of Brian"
According to security expert Christian Mölling, the content of Trump's statements at the Republican Party convention is not the most important thing. "When you see that people really cling to this bond. [...] That's like in 'Life of Brian'," he says in the "Die Lage" podcast. "There's a scene at the end where everyone is chasing after someone's sandal, who by chance has become an icon, so worship-worthy. It doesn't matter if it's a sandal or a band: Trump is being stylized as the savior and he styles himself that way as well, and that's why the contents, I believe, are totally banal."
10:55 Political scientist on Trump's calculation: "Arithmetic carries immense risk"
How surprising or expected was Trump's speech at the Republican Party convention? Thomas Jäger takes a look at the potential consequences of his announcements for Ukraine and other US allies. He also assesses whether Biden will still be the Democratic Party's presidential candidate next week:
10:19 Trump accuses Biden of causing more damage than "ten worst presidents" combined
Trump actually didn't want to mention Biden in his speech, but he deviated from his script again. "The damage he has caused to this country is unimaginable," Trump said about the incumbent president. When the "damage" caused by the ten worst presidents in US history is added up, it is not as great as the damage caused by Biden.
09:51 When Trump strays from the script, chaos ensues
In Milwaukee, Trump told of the assassination attempt against him; he looked tired, let himself be cheered on by the delegates, and didn't always stick to the script - then "old tunes come through." NTV reporter Hanna Klouth reports on her impressions of the Republican Party's nomination speech by the now official presidential candidate Trump:
09:15 Trump makes over 20 false claims in speechCNN counts over 20 false claims in Trump's campaign speech. Many of them were previously made by the presidential candidate, some for years. The topics include Economy, Immigration, Crime, Foreign Policy, and Elections. The statement that he left the world at peace to the Biden administration is deemed "absurd" by the network. Trump also repeated the allegation of election fraud against the Democrats - although this was not in the speech manuscript, according to the report.
08:45 Trump obfuscates Taiwan issue in speechChina was mentioned only once in Trump's speech in a national security context. He said, "The land surrounds Taiwan" - without specifying whether his administration would come to Taiwan's aid if China attacks it, should he be re-elected. Trump has not yet committed to a position on this issue.
08:22 Trump falsely accuses Biden of record inflationAfter the US inflation rate reached 9.1% in June 2022, the highest level in 40 years, it has since dropped to 3%, according to CNN. Trump's accusation of record inflation under US President Biden is therefore not accurate. The record was actually 23.7% in 1920.
08:01 Trump's first act: close the borderIn his return to the White House, Trump plans to close the border as one of his first official acts to prevent migrants from entering the US, according to his own statements. "I will end the illegal immigration crisis by closing our border and completing the wall," the 78-year-old confirmed in his speech at the Republican Party convention. "We must stop the invasion of our country."
07:20 Trump exaggerates victory against IS in SyriaTrump also exaggerated his statement about the defeat of IS in Syria in his speech. According to the "New York Times," Trump claimed that the US had completely defeated the terrorist organization within two months of his tenure. However, the US-led coalition against the so-called Islamic State had begun operations in 2014, long before Trump's first term. The last territories held by IS were lost in March 2019, two years after Trump took office.
06:51 Trump lies about abandoned military equipment in AfghanistanTrump's false claim about the US leaving $85 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan was also repeated in his speech. According to US media, this refers to the total amount that Congress provided for a fund to support Afghan security forces during the war. The abandoned equipment was estimated to be worth around $7.1 billion, according to CNN.
06:31 Trump disparages migrants indirectly as "garbage"Trump used his speech to incite against migrants and used dehumanizing language. "They come from everywhere," the 78-year-old said. "We have become a dumping ground for the rest of the world - and they laugh at us. They think we're stupid." Trump spoke extensively about immigration. He repeated statements from campaign rallies. He claimed, for example, that almost exclusively criminals come across the southern border and that people come from "mental institutions".
06:18 Trump speaks for 95 minutes
Donald Trump's nomination speech ends after a total of 95 minutes. The 78-year-old presents himself on stage with his family. Melania Trump is at the side of the Republican presidential candidate in Milwaukee, having been absent from important campaign events such as her husband's TV debate with President Biden.
05:49 Trump: I save democracy
Donald Trump urges people not to "demonize" political differences. The USA should not "criminalize dissent," he says in his nomination speech at the Republican convention. The 78-year-old does not see himself as a threat to democracy, but rather as its "savior for the people of our country." Trump is involved in various legal disputes. He frequently portrays himself as a victim of a politically motivated "witch hunt." To this day, he has not acknowledged his loss in the 2020 presidential election against Joe Biden.
05:06 Trump remembers attack victim and kisses firefighter's helmet
At his nomination speech in Milwaukee, Donald Trump pays tribute to the man killed in the attack on him. Afterward, Trump kisses the helmet of the firefighter who was shot at the campaign event in the US state of Pennsylvania. The man's jacket was also on display on stage. "He was incredible," Trump says. The 50-year-old reportedly shielded his wife and daughter from the bullets when the shooter opened fire. He was fatally wounded, and two others were seriously injured.
04:53 Trump tells story of the attack
With a soft and slower voice than usual, Donald Trump tells the story of the attack on him in Milwaukee - "for the first and only time," he explains. Because it's too painful to tell it again, he says. "I had God on my side. (...) I shouldn't be here tonight." At this, the audience starts shouting: "But, you should be here!"
04:46 Trump begins nomination speech in conciliatory tone
Donald Trump begins his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in a conciliatory tone: "I'm running to be President for all of America, not just for half of America. There's no winning if you only win half of America."
04:08 Carlson: Aided Ukraine "middle finger" to Americans
Tucker Carlson, the Putin-friendly talk show host, criticized US aid to the Ukraine attacked by Russia at the Republican National Convention. "You don't see our President using our military to protect our country or the lives of our citizens - no, that's for Ukraine," Carlson said in Milwaukee. "That's a middle finger to every American." Carlson is known for spreading false information and conspiracy theories. He was fired from Fox News, the conservative US broadcaster, last year. In early February, he traveled to Moscow for an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the interview, Putin spoke uninterrupted for over two hours about Russia and Ukraine. The Ukraine subsequently honored Carlson as their "Kremlin insider of the month".
03:35 Lara Trump: The attack changed TrumpThe co-chair of the Republican National Committee, Lara Trump, has observed a change of heart in her father-in-law. The attack on Saturday reportedly caused Presidential candidate Trump to rework his upcoming speech and emphasize unity, according to Eric Trump's wife: "I don't think you can go through what he went through on Saturday without it having an effect." Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris finds Trump's call for unity less credible. "We're too busy watching what you do to hear what you say," Harris said at a campaign event.
02:27 Trump Advisor: Biden's withdrawal would have little impact on Trump's campaignAccording to a high-ranking advisor to Donald Trump, an exit of US President Joe Biden from the race for the White House would not significantly alter Trump's campaign. "Whether it's Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, or any other radical liberal Democrat, they're all responsible for the destruction of our economy and the breakdown of our borders," Jason Miller, one of Trump's closest advisors, said on the sidelines of the Republican National Committee in Milwaukee. In Trump's speech in a few hours, it "won't be about Joe Biden," but about "President Trump and his vision for the country," Miller added.
01:36 Pelosi believes Biden is close to dropping outAccording to a report by the "Washington Post", influential Democrat Nancy Pelosi also believes that President Joe Biden could be convinced to drop out of the race for the US Presidency soon. The newspaper cites three unnamed Democratic officials close to Pelosi. The former Speaker of the House is a close confidant of Biden. After his disastrous TV debate performance against Trump, Pelosi reportedly acts as a go-between for the concerned party base and the White House.
00:43 Scholz considers US Presidential election openFederal Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the SPD still sees the outcome of the US Presidential election as open. "It's a little daring and risky to be sure now what this election will look like," Scholz said at a press conference to conclude the European Council meeting in Great Britain. As an example, he mentioned the last German federal election, which he won with the SPD despite appearing hopelessly behind in the polls against the Union. As a good Democrat, he emphasized, "elections only take place when they take place."
23:28 Insider: Biden weighing withdrawal from presidency race
US President Joe Biden is reportedly considering dropping out of the presidential race according to insiders. Biden is taking the calls for him to step down as the Democratic nominee seriously, say sources close to the matter. Multiple Democratic officials believe an exit is only a matter of time. "I'm sure he's really thinking about it," says one insider who wishes to remain anonymous. "He's thinking very seriously about it." Another Democratic insider adds, Biden has recognized the signs of the times. "It feels like it's a matter of when, not if," the insider says. Quentin Fulks, Biden's deputy campaign manager, however, stated that the President is not indecisive and has made his decision: "Joe Biden has said that he's running for the office of President of the United States. Our campaign is moving forward."
23:08 White House announces meeting between Biden and Netanyahu next week
US President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Washington next week. "We expect that they will have an opportunity to meet while Prime Minister Netanyahu is in town," says John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council of the US. However, he cannot yet say "at this point" how such a meeting would look. Netanyahu is flying to Washington on Monday to deliver a speech before the US Congress on Wednesday. Israeli media had reported on a planned meeting with Biden. Whether such a meeting will take place, however, depends on the progress of Biden's coronavirus recovery, Kirby cautions. "We need to ensure that the President's health and recovery remain a priority."
22:14 Doctor: Biden suffering from mild coronavirus symptoms
US President Joe Biden is still experiencing mild respiratory symptoms due to his coronavirus infection according to his doctor. Biden does not have a fever, Kevin O'Connor reports. The President is being treated with the medication Paxlovid. The White House announced on Wednesday that Biden had tested positive for coronavirus during a trip to Las Vegas. Biden has canceled an appearance in the US state of Nevada. He is isolating at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
21:37 Biden campaign team rules out other candidacy scenarios
Biden's campaign team is not considering scenarios where Biden is not the leading Democratic candidate for the White House. "Our campaign is not running through any scenarios where President Biden is not at the top of the candidate list. He is and will be the candidate of the Democrats," says Quentin Fulks, Biden's deputy campaign manager, at a press conference in Milwaukee. Biden himself has repeatedly emphasized that he will stay in the race and will not withdraw his candidacy.
20:53 Weber: "A cascade could be set in motion"
The West is considering stationing US weapons in Germany, the Kremlin responds with atomic threats. The constant back-and-forth could escalate, warns security expert Joachim Weber. Additionally, Trump could become a political ally of Russia again - bad news for Europe.
20:07 Report: Trump insulted or attacked 38 percent of the US population
A self-proclaimed unofficial list by the "Washington Post" shows that former President Donald Trump has insulted or attacked people in cities and states that make up nearly 38 percent of the American population in speeches at rallies, on social media, and in interviews. Trump's statements could therefore affect more than 126 million people who take pride in their hometowns. Milwaukee, the host city of the Republican Convention, is reportedly referred to by Trump as "a terrible city."
19:33 Where is Melania Trump? Melania Trump missing from Milwaukee: Melania Trump is not on the speaker list for the final evening of the Republican Convention. This was reported by trusted sources. There had been much speculation about whether the former First Lady would make an appearance at the gathering of her husband's party in Milwaukee. The absence of the former First Lady on the speaker list does not necessarily mean that she will not appear on stage with Trump. In the past evenings, Trump has sat alone on the stage in the hall and watched, for instance, the speech of his vice presidential candidate's wife, Usha Vance. Melania Trump's absence, while Usha Vance supported her husband on stage, could once again fuel rumors about the state of the Trump marriage.
You can read about previous developments here.**
1. In US political circles, there are ongoing discussions about the potential candidates for the US Presidential Election 2024.2. Despite his criticisms of Joe Biden, Union Faction Chief Jens Spahn acknowledged positively some of Donald Trump's foreign policy stances during his time as US President, specifically his stance on containing China and supporting Israel's existence.3. During the republikan Party convention, Republicans praised Donald Trump's alleged attempts to strengthen the United States' military and defense, emphasizing the need for Europeans to be more involved in global security matters.4. Some political analysts believe that an assault on Donald Trump's reputation or campaign by the US Democrats could potentially energize his base of supporters, as they view him as a victim of political opposition.5. If Donald Trump were to be re-elected as US President in 2024, there are concerns that his policies towards Israel and the Middle East could have lasting consequences for the region and potentially lead to an escalation of tensions.6. Despite allegations of election fraud by Donald Trump in the 2020 US Presidential Election, many in the Republican party continue to support his efforts to regain the White House in 2024, citing his "America First" agenda as a key reason for their loyalty.
