The Republican Party convention of the US begins - Trump will participate despite the attack
Trump survived the shots at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday by a hair's breadth. The following day, he called on his supporters for unity: "In this moment, it's more important than ever that we remain united and show our true character as Americans," wrote the 78-year-old. They should "stay strong and determined to prevent evil from triumphing".
When Trump began his speech on Saturday evening (local time), several shots were fired at him. The 78-year-old was lightly wounded on the right ear and was safely escorted by Secret Service agents. The alleged shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed.
Supporters and helpers of the right-wing populist, who had already gathered in Milwaukee, followed the news from Pennsylvania in disbelief. One of them, Philip Fredericks, expressed admiration for how Trump had raised his fist in the air and rallied his supporters shortly after the shooting to keep fighting. "There's no doubt. He'll be here," Fredericks said.
The Republican nominating convention in Milwaukee was scheduled to begin on Monday. Trump had won the primaries of his party landslide and secured an overwhelming majority of party delegates. The formal nomination is planned for Thursday. On November 5, the New York real estate billionaire will face off against Joe Biden for the second time, against whom he lost the 2020 election.
The Republicans deliberately chose Wisconsin as the location, one of the decisive swing states for the election, in which Democrats and Republicans often have very close races. In the 2020 election, Biden won there with a mere 20,000 vote advantage.
Since Biden's disastrous TV debate performance in June, Trump has increased his lead over the incumbent in the polls. The latest poll showed Trump ahead of Biden by five percentage points in Wisconsin. Biden's mental fitness for a second term is also being questioned within his own ranks by some.
In the inner city of Milwaukee, security measures had already been in place on Saturday for the numerous main streets of the beer brewing city, Trump's name was visible on numerous advertisement boards. Around 50,000 supporters were expected in the city.
The organizers have set themes for each day that vary Trump's 2016 campaign slogan "Make America Great Again" (MAGA - Make America Great Again). On Monday, it's about economic policy ("Make America Wealthy Once Again"), on Tuesday about internal security ("Safe Again"), on Wednesday about foreign policy ("Strong Again"), and on Thursday, Trump's speech is planned, where he intends to accept the nomination from the 2429 delegates.
The schedule for the convention does not yet contain information on who will run as Trump's candidate for the position of Vice President. So far, only three names have been mentioned: Senators J.D. Vance from Ohio and Marco Rubio from Florida, as well as North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
The shots at Trump could further fuel tensions in this deeply divided country. J.D. Vance directly pointed the finger at Biden after the attack: "The central premise of Biden's campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs," Vance wrote on X. "This rhetoric directly led to the attempted assassination of President Trump."
- Despite the attempted assassination during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, Trump called for unity and strength among his supporters.
- The alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was a 20-year-old Republican, and the event took place during the Republican nominating convention's scheduled days in Milwaukee.
- The US-Republicans, who had already gathered in Milwaukee, were in disbelief after hearing about the attack on Trump in Pennsylvania.
- Trump, who had secured an overwhelming majority of party delegates, was scheduled to receive the formal nomination at the Milwaukee Party conference on Thursday, following the 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.
- The Republicans' decision to hold the convention in Wisconsin, a key swing state, reflected their aim to take advantage of the state's close election results in 2020.
- On Sunday, polls showed that Trump had a five-point lead over Biden in Wisconsin, which was critical in Biden's 2020 victory.
- New security measures were put in place in Milwaukee's inner city, with Trump's name displayed on numerous advertisement boards, as the city prepared for a gathering of up to 50,000 supporters.
- J.D. Vance, a potential vice-presidential candidate, accused Biden of contributing to the attempted assassination of Trump, alleging that his campaign rhetoric incited such violent acts.
