Former President Donald Trump took the stage in the final hours of the Republican National Convention on Thursday, delivering a heartfelt and moving speech in which he vowed to heal and unite the country, just days after miraculously surviving an assassin’s bullet.
The powerful speech, written after his terrifying near-death experience, was a departure from his usual bombastic and brazen rhetoric. He mentioned his political opponent, President Biden, by name only once, but avoided any of the derisive nicknames like “Crooked Joe” that he has used to attack the president in the past.
Instead, Trump spoke to the nation about the need for “unity,” described how Saturday’s events have affected him and outlined the path forward for the country. It was Trump’s first public address since surviving an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania last Saturday.
“I stand before you tonight with a message of confidence, strength and hope,” Trump began his speech. “Together, we will usher in a new era of safety, prosperity and freedom for people of every race, religion, color and creed.”
“The differences and divisions in our society must be healed. As Americans, we are bound by one destiny, a common destiny. We stand together or we fall apart,” he said, saying he was running for “all” Americans in a call for unity.
“I am running for president of all America, not for half of America, because winning for half of America is not a victory. So tonight, with conviction and commitment, I proudly accept my nomination for president.”
When he appeared on stage, he was greeted with rapturous applause from the packed Republican National Convention delegates.
He recalled in horrifying detail the moment he was shot on Saturday, describing hearing a “loud bang” of a bullet and how “blood was going everywhere.”
“The amazing thing is, if I hadn’t moved my head at the last moment, just before the shot was fired, the assassin’s bullet would have been perfectly on target and I would not be here tonight,” he said.
“None of us know God’s plan or where life’s adventure will take us, but if the events of last Saturday make anything clear, it’s that every moment we spend on earth is a gift from God, and we must make the most of each day for the people and country we love,” he continued.
In a surprising and moving moment, President Trump kissed the helmet of former Fire Chief Corey Comperatore, who was tragically killed by a stray bullet fired by gunman Thomas Crooks at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“There is no greater love than to give your life for another. This is the spirit on which America was built in its darkest hours, and this is the love that will lead America back to the pinnacle of human achievement and greatness,” Trump continued.
“This is what we need. Despite these heinous attacks, we stand together tonight, more determined than ever before. Our resolve remains unwavering, and our purpose remains the same: to deliver a government that serves the American people better than ever before.”
The former president’s family — including his wife Melania and daughter Ivanka — cheered him on from a VIP box and watched him formally accept the Republican nomination in front of thousands of supporters packed into the Milwaukee Arena.
Trump watched the speech from a box seat next to country music star Jason Aldean, who was headlining a concert after the Republican festival ended.
“It’s such an honor to be here with my amazing wife, Melania. Thank you, Melania. And thank you for your beautiful letter to America calling for national unity,” Trump said, before lovingly thanking the rest of his family.
The 45th president “threw away” his prepared speech after the shooting at Saturday’s rally, Trump’s spokesman told reporters Thursday morning. The new speech is much more “personal” and was written by Trump himself.
He then deviated from his prepared remarks for long periods, delivering a speech that lasted just under 93 minutes, breaking the record for the longest acceptance speech by a presidential candidate in modern history.
Audience members at the Republican National Convention also showed their support for Trump all week by wearing white bandages over their ears in solidarity with the former president, whose right ear was tightly wrapped in gauze.
Thousands of delegates listened intently throughout his speech, cheering and chanting throughout.
Trump vowed to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, end inflation and end “every international crisis that this administration has created.”
He also vowed to end the “illegal immigration crisis.”
“Under our leadership, America will once again be respected. No nation will doubt our strength, and no enemy will doubt our might.”
“Our borders will be completely secure. Our economy will boom. We will bring law and order back to our streets. We will bring patriotism back to our schools. And above all, we will bring peace, stability and harmony back to the world.”
He said a second Trump presidency would usher in a “golden age” for the United States, with a new “Iron Dome missile defense system to stop our enemies from attacking us,” clean cities and better American technological innovation that would “soon put us on the verge of finding cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s and many other diseases.”
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Trump promised to “bring back the American Dream.”
“It is with great humility that I ask you to be optimistic about the future of our country,” Trump said.
And in the final debate, Trump again spoke about the need for unity.
“We are Americans. Ambition is our tradition. Greatness is our birthright,” Trump said. “But as long as we spend our energies fighting each other, our destiny will remain out of reach. We must use that energy to realize our nation’s true potential — and write a thrilling chapter in our own American story.”
“Tonight, I ask for your cooperation and support, and humbly ask for your vote. Every day I will strive to live up to the trust you have placed in me, and I will never let you down.”
The evening’s rally, themed “Make America Great Again,” had a personal feel, with speakers close to the former president, many of whom knew him personally.
The speaker list included Trump’s longtime friends Stephen and Zach Witkoff, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his son Eric Trump. Many of the speeches mentioned Trump’s golf game.
New York City-based real estate investor Steven Witkoff described Trump as a “kind and caring person” and said the former president was always there for his family, even when he had “everything to lose and nothing to gain.”
Other speakers included media personality Tucker Carlson, professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and Trump lawyer Alina Hubba, while Kid Rock performed a Trump-themed musical.
Haba delivered an emotional speech about his close relationship with his client and Trump’s love for music and people, choking up when describing Trump as a “friend.”
Melania Trump’s presence was particularly noticeable because she has not been with Trump throughout the 2024 campaign and has made few public appearances.
Following the conclusion of the convention, Trump and Vance will hold their first rally together on Saturday and address voters in Michigan before heading to the senator’s hometown of Middletown, Ohio, on Monday.
The Trump campaign hopes to leverage Vance’s background in Rust Belt Ohio to win support from battleground states and traditional Democratic voters in the Midwest.
Traditionally Democratic voters across the Midwest.
