Two days after his shooting, former President Donald Trump made a dramatic appearance on the first night of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, wearing a bandage on his ear.
Donald Trump walks in with a bandaged ear from a failed assassination attempt, and Lee Greenwood sings “God Bless the USA” in the most American moment ever. pic.twitter.com/EvAzz4yPeI
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 16, 2024
When President Trump entered the Fiserv Forum to the live accompaniment of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The USA,” he received thunderous applause and then took a seat with his family between his vice presidential candidate JD Vance and Congressman Byron Donalds, with commentator Tucker Carlson sitting to his right.
President Trump listened to and praised a number of well-known and unknown speakers, the best of which was media personality Amber Rose’s fluent speech describing her transformation from believing Trump to fully supporting him, encouraged by her father, a military veteran.
Sean O’Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, caused a stir when he referred to the assassination attempt on President Trump, saying, “He’s proven himself to be a tough guy.” O’Brien heated up the atmosphere in his lengthy speech, in which he both praised and criticized Republicans and described a growing willingness among Republicans and Teamsters to work together.
Pastor James Roemke of Messiah Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin, again drew laughter when, before saying a prayer, he nicely imitated Trump’s “You’re getting tired of winning” by replacing “be blessed” with “win.”
He was visibly moved and energized by the expressions of love for President Trump, smiling throughout the speeches and the numerous rounds of thunderous applause and chants on his behalf. Although he did not speak, Trump’s presence in the arena was omnipresent, leaving no doubt that he has the Republican Party fully under control.
