campaign in the USA - Signal of Unity: Ex-Rivals boost Trump at convention
Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, once bitter political rivals of Donald Trump, publicly endorsed him at the Republican convention and called for unity. "Donald Trump has my full support," Haley declared.
She was greeted with a mix of cheers and boos - the crowd applauded ecstatically, however, as Haley immediately bolstered Trump's back. With the support of former top rivals, the Republicans are increasingly closing their ranks - in contrast to the Democrats, who are experiencing an internal revolt against their frontrunner Joe Biden.
Trump personally heard the speeches of his former competitors at the convention. The 78-year-old wore a white bandage on his right ear again after the weekend's attack. Trump looked significantly fitter on the second day of the party spectacle than on the first, raising his fist repeatedly into the air and pointing at the jubilant crowd with his finger. The crowd pressed forward to get a closer look at the stage.
For Trump, the demonstrative public support of his former competitors at the convention is a major success. Both DeSantis and Haley had already announced their support beforehand. However, their appearance at the convention in Milwaukee had a special significance - as a sign of new unity in the party, after there had also been heated internal fights there in recent months.
"We have a country to save"
Haley addressed Trump skeptics in her speech. "We should acknowledge that there are some Americans who do not agree with Donald Trump one hundred percent. I know some of them, and I want to speak to them tonight," she said. The former governor of the US state of South Carolina also emphasized: "I am here tonight because we have a country to save, and a united Republican Party is essential to save it."
Haley had engaged in a long-term battle for the Republican presidential nomination against Trump in the primary elections, but was ultimately unsuccessful and withdrew her support.
Haley had questioned Trump's fitness for the presidency during the primary campaign. Trump, in turn, made racist comments about Haley's daughter, who is of Indian descent. The relationship between Trump and Haley was considered so poor that Biden, the Democratic president, courted her support and praised her courage for standing up to Trump. Biden's campaign team reminded the audience mockingly that Haley had previously deemed Trump unfit for the highest office in the state.
The criticism from that time was far removed. Instead, Haley praised Trump's foreign policy. Putin did not attack Ukraine during Trump's presidency because he knew Trump was strong, she urged the crowd. In the primary campaign, she had accused Trump of having a special affinity for Putin or North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un.
"Send Joe Biden back to his basement"
Auch DeSantis had considered the Presidency campaign of his party but had withdrawn after the Iowa caucus in January. Unlike Haley, he publicly endorsed Trump at that time. However, the relationship between Trump and the Florida governor remained troubled - they had clashed fiercely during the primary campaign. "Send Joe Biden back to his basement and Donald Trump back to the White House," DeSantis said with great applause in Milwaukee.
At the convention, it was once again evident how much control Trump has over the entire party. "Everyone is rallying around the same person. It's very reassuring to see this unity," said Delegate Bill Swenson from the state of Nebraska.
Trump was officially nominated as the Presidential candidate of his party on Monday at the beginning of the convention and will face Biden in the November presidential election, according to the current stand. Trump had already won the necessary delegate votes in the primaries. His big speech will be held on Friday night in the German time.
"Trump-Vance" signs already in use
Trump is running with Senator and bestselling author J.D. Vance as his Vice Presidential candidate. The 39-year-old was cheered on in Milwaukee. When he entered the hall, the Country song "America First" played. People held signs with the inscription "Trump - Vance" high. Trump supporter and sharp-tongued Vance is said to get along particularly well with Trump's son Don Jr. During a rehearsal, they joked familiarly. Trump's wife Melania and daughter Ivanka have not appeared publicly so far.
The former President was injured at an attack over the weekend during a campaign event. A Trump supporter died, and two others were injured. The shooter was shot. The incident was an escalation in the already heated US presidential campaign.
Chaos among the Democrats
While the Republicans in Milwaukee demonstrated unity, chaos is brewing before the Democratic nominating convention in August. The party leadership is making plans to nominate the 81-year-old Biden virtually before the party assembly in Chicago. There is criticism among Democrats in Congress about this approach. Biden is currently under heavy pressure from his own ranks due to regular absences and embarrassing gaffes. Several party colleagues have called on him in recent weeks to withdraw from the presidential race.
- Nikki Haley, previously a vocal critic of Donald Trump during the primary elections, claimed his fitness for presidency was questionable.
- DeSantis, another former rival of Trump, ended his 2024 presidential campaign and publicly endorsed him before the convention.
- The Republicans, with Trump as their chosen candidate, face the Democratic Party, which is facing an internal revolt against their frontrunner Joe Biden.
- The support from DeSantis and Haley at the convention in Milwaukee signified new unity in the Republican Party, after months of internal fights.
- Haley emphasized that while some Americans may not fully agree with Trump, a united Republican Party is essential to save the country.
- During the primary campaign, Haley accused Trump of having a special affinity for Putin or Kim Jong Un, but now praises his foreign policy.
- DeSantis, who clashed fiercely with Trump during the primary campaign, called for sending Biden back to his basement and Trump back to the White House.
- The chaotic scene within the Democratic Party contrasts the unity and control Republicans demonstrate, with Biden's presidency challenges and internal criticism.
