Donald Trump and JD Vance Attend Republican National Convention in Milwaukee
The Republican National Convention began on Monday in Milwaukee, where former President Donald Trump appeared alongside his vice president pick, JD Vance. This was Trump’s first public appearance since an attempted assassination on Saturday. He had a bandage over his right ear and was warmly greeted by his family, allies, and cheering RNC delegates.
Trump had considered postponing his trip to Milwaukee but decided against it, stating on social media, ‘I cannot allow a shooter or potential assassin to force change scheduling or anything else.’
JD Vance, the 39-year-old junior senator from Ohio, was officially nominated as the vice presidential candidate. He greeted the delegates with his wife, Usha Vance, and is set to address the convention on Wednesday evening.
The Republican Party plans to adopt a new platform that softens its language on abortion, leaving the issue to individual states. The platform also includes building a missile defense shield over the US, tax cuts, and mass deportations of illegal immigrants.
Approximately 50,000 people are expected to attend the four-day convention, which aims to make its case to voters ahead of November’s general election. The themes for each day are ‘Make America Wealthy Again,’ ‘Make America Safe Again,’ ‘Make America Strong Again,’ and ‘Make America Great Once Again.’
High-profile speakers will address the convention, with Trump scheduled to speak on Thursday night. His son, Donald Trump Jr., will speak on Wednesday, and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, initially expected to skip the event, will now attend and speak following the assassination attempt.
RNC co-chair Laura Trump mentioned that celebrities would also be among the speakers. Notably, former Republican Party stalwarts like George Bush, Mike Pence, and Mitt Romney are not on the guest list.
Every four years, the two main US parties host a convention to formally select their presidential candidate. During the convention, state delegates pledge their support and approve the party’s platform. For Trump, this is a formality as he has already secured enough delegates for the nomination.