Former President Donald Trump spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Thursday, his first speech since last week’s assassination attempt, and it featured some notable moments.
President Trump pays tribute to fallen firefighter.
President Trump paid tribute to firefighter Cory Comperatore, who was killed in last week’s assassination attempt on Trump. Father of Pennsylvania “A fine man.”
Republican presidential candidate and former US president Donald Trump touches the turnout gear of former Buffalo Township Fire Chief Corey Comperatore, who was murdered during a rally at the Fiserv Forum on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Reuters/Gina Moon)
“Tragically, the perpetrators took the life of our fellow man, Corey Comperatore, and severely injured two great warriors, David Duch and James Copenhaver. I have spoken with all three families of these fine people, and our love and prayers are with them and always will be,” Trump said. “Corey, a highly respected former fire chief, was accompanied by his wife, Helen, and their two precious daughters, who selflessly lost their lives protecting them from the incoming bullets. He was truly an honorable man.”
Trump then walked over and kissed Comperatore’s firefighter’s helmet, which was placed on stage next to the former president along with his turnout gear, and called for a moment of silence afterwards as a mark of respect.
“There is no greater love than to give your life for another,” Trump said. “This is the spirit on which America was built in its darkest hours, and this is the love that will once again lead America to the pinnacle of human achievement and greatness.”
President Trump revisits assassination attempt
Trump began his speech by detailing the assassination attempt on him, and looked solemn as he shared his version of events with the audience.
“I started to turn to the right to look at the charts, and I tried to turn around, but luckily I didn’t,” Trump recalled. “I said to myself, ‘Oh my God, what is that? That must be a bullet,’ and I put my right hand to my ear and put it down, and my hand was covered in blood. There was blood all over. I immediately realized this was very serious and that I was under attack, and I dropped to the ground.”
“There was blood everywhere, but in some way I felt very safe because God was on my side,” Trump continued. “The amazing thing is, if I hadn’t moved my head at the last moment before he shot me, the assassin’s bullet would have been perfectly on target and I wouldn’t be here with you tonight.”
Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Paul Sancia)
Trump noted that despite gunfire ringing out at the crowded rally, attendees “did not run for the exits or join the mob,” adding, “Tens of thousands of people stood their ground, not moving a step. In fact, many of them bravely but unconsciously looked for the sniper, stood up and pointed at him.”
Trump said this “saved many lives.”
“But that’s not why they didn’t move. They knew I was in a serious situation, they saw the blood, they thought I was dead, and they just didn’t want to leave me alone. You could see the love on their faces,” he said.
“I wasn’t supposed to be here tonight,” Trump said, to which the crowd chanted “Yes you were.”
President Trump pays tribute to First Lady Melania Trump
President Trump took time out of his speech to pay tribute to his wife, Melania, saying he was “humbled and honored to be with my incredible wife.”
He then referred to her letter to America, in which she called for unity following the assassination attempt on her husband.
“I am thinking of you now, my fellow Americans,” she wrote. “The dawn has dawned again. Now is the time to come together again.”
The former president praised the letter.
“Melania, thank you so much. You did a really wonderful thing. A letter calling on America to come together as a nation. You really surprised the Republicans. It was really wonderful,” he said.
“Some very serious people have said that letter should be part of the Republican platform. Wouldn’t that be an honor?”
President Trump releases illegal immigration chart he believes saved his life
Former US President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the Republican National Convention (RNC) at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US, Thursday, July 18, 2024. The chairman of the Republican National Convention warned against complacency as the party wraps up its official nomination spree this week with polls showing former President Donald Trump will beat President Joe Biden in the November election. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
President Trump held up a graph showing the number of illegal immigrants entering the United States, which he showed during his speech in Butler, Pennsylvania, and it was significant that he turned his head to look at the graph as the gunman opened fire.
“The last time I put this chart up, I didn’t actually have a chance to look at it,” he said, responding to laughter from the crowd, “but without this chart, I wouldn’t be here today.”
“I said, ‘Look at this chart.’ I was so proud. And when I got there, I couldn’t see the chart anymore that day. But now I see it. I was so proud.”
Trump uses Biden’s name
Trump went off script once and used President Biden’s name, but quickly said he would never do it again.
“You can think of the 10 worst presidents in American history, and you could put them all together and still not cause the damage that Biden has caused.”
“I’m only going to use that word once, Biden. I’m not going to use that name anymore. Just once.”
