Trump is back, with all his power
The Republican Party Convention is a demonstration of Donald Trump's strength. Fists are raised high once again, even prayed for him. And then he himself steps into the spotlight, for the first time since the assassination attempt. The arena roars.
As he appears on the massive screens on Monday evening, a roar goes through the hall. Donald Trump is waiting for his entrance at the Republican Party Nomination Convention. He stands in the catacombs, a few seconds later he points to his bandaged right ear and looks directly into the camera: "I hear you, I hear you", his lips say tonelessly. The delegates and guests cheer even louder, there's ringing in the ears. He sets off, climbing a short staircase onto a small balcony in front of the dais, where his family and congress politicians are waiting. The hall erupts in "U-S-A" cheers. In "We love Trump" cheers. And in "Fight, fight, fight" with raised fists. Fight, fight, fight.
Everything is about fighting these days. Outside, in sight of the Republican Party Convention hall, already in the morning. "What do we do when women's rights are attacked?", asks a speaker at the counter-demonstration. "Stand up and fight!", call a few hundred people under the blazing morning sun. In a park, a wild mix of various civil rights groups has gathered: For Palestine, for abortion, peace activists, against police violence; left-wing splinter groups. From the boxes, the music of the band Rage Against the Machine roars. Abortion opponents hold signs with bloody fetuses in the air and promise the onlookers via megaphone that they will go to hell.
Inside, in the air-conditioned hall of the Convention, the attendees break out in "Fight, fight, fight!" cheers throughout the first day. Just like he did on Saturday when he was shot by an assassin. Instead of retreating, he wanted to come back, raised his fist in the air, blood on his cheek, and said "Fight, fight, fight". Now he's one who even a bullet can't permanently bring down. "A miracle", says a visitor. Trump landed in Milwaukee on Sunday, he will officially accept the presidential nomination for the election in November on Thursday. It's a big show about him. It's supposed to be the beginning of a victory parade that ends at the White House.
Praying and cheering for the brave fighter
Before the grand entrance, formalities take place. A clergyman prays with the attendees for Trump on Monday morning. Speaker after speaker from the states overtake each other in short speeches on why he is also the best candidate for the third time in a row, and they hand over the delegate votes of their states to the former president. The louder someone shouts, the more applause they receive. There's no room for doubts or self-criticism here. For them, Trump is a brave fighter, a promise for a winning election. No convicted criminal, rapist, or election fraudster.
Photos of Trump are hung up in the corridors, the stage glows in red and blue, a cover band plays old rock songs for the visitors between speeches. The journalist swarm has gathered around the Florida delegates, as their votes will give Trump the majority. His son Eric brings the news, and the hall erupts in jubilation. He is now officially nominated.
On the stage, Iva Russell from Tennessee glows with excitement. Her age she won't reveal; she's no longer a young student, but making her first appearance. "These are difficult times for many of us who love, not hate," she says. "I won't hate anyone because of a choice that goes against our plan to live and let live." Is Trump the best candidate? "For the times we are in, yes." She would rather have someone like Ronald Reagan, with whom she has good memories. "I miss someone like him, whose words I can trust. I miss the politeness."
Vance as Special Advisor for Workers
While the states are still declaring their votes, through US media it's leaking that Trump has decided on J.D. Vance as his running mate. Some write the name of the Senator from Ohio on the Trump banners they keep lifting triumphantly. The first "J.D." cheers are heard. The delegates confirm him with an overwhelming "Yay". "I'd love you to love me", rings out the band, "I need you to need me".
Vance enters the room, shakes hands for minutes, jokes, makes selfies with supporters. The 39-year-old is the young MAGA generation: he comes from a working-class family, presents himself as down-to-earth, and has a rise-to-fame story. Trump posts on his social network Truth Social that Vance will focus on "the forgotten men and women of America" in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and beyond, "for whom he fights so brilliantly". The Senator is supposed to win back the states that he lost to US President Joe Biden with Vice President Mike Pence in 2020. Losing those states cost him the election.
Given his background, Vance fits Trump's new campaign program: "For the forgotten men and women of America," it reads. This is not presented or even discussed; the hint from the stage is enough that Trump himself has approved it. Not without changes: Trump, for example, has insisted that the states should continue to set their own abortion regulations, and the Republicans should not pursue a nationwide ban. The conservative-dominated Supreme Court made that decision in 2022. In the following congressional elections, the Republicans lost decisive seats; in the Senate, the Democrats gained a majority.
One of the speakers on the first day's evening is Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, known for her provocative actions in the media and Congress. "Donald Trump is the President that the United States deserves," she says to cheers. She remains surprisingly calm. Maybe she has mellowed a bit, Trump having reportedly toned down his speech for the big party convention finale on Thursday after the Saturday attack.
Trump smiles benevolently from the honorary stage at the last speakers of the evening, who report on their everyday problems and campaign for his election. The audience will rise from their seats once more. "Whether you like him or not, but after what happened on Saturday," a labor union leader shouts into the stage microphone: "He's a tough son of a bitch!" The arena explodes. Yes, Trump is back. With all the power of the Republicans.
In the heat of the counter-demonstration outside the Republican Party Convention, a speaker urges, "What do we do when women's rights are attacked? Stand up and fight!" Inside the convention hall, the delegates respond with fervor, breaking out in cheers of "Fight, fight, fight," echoing Donald Trump's resilience after the assassination attempt on his life.
As the United States Presidency Election 2024 approaches, the Republican Party Nomination Convention serves as a stage for Donald Trump's unwavering commitment to the cause, his determination evident in his rallying cry, "Fight, fight, fight," despite the attempts on his life.
