MILWAUKEE – Former Pres Donald Trump The shooter made his first public appearance Monday since an assassination attempt on him at a political rally two days ago, entering the Republican convention hall to thunderous applause, covering his right ear and raising his fist.
Supporters on the convention floor and in the stadium sang a live rendition of “God Bless the United States” with singer Lee Greenwood, Trump waved to supporters and family members and new running mate JD Vance, Tucker Carlson and Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida.
Trump put on a subdued look as the room erupted in cheers and “USA” chants.
Later, Trump said “thank you” as rapper and television personality Amber Rose urged Americans to vote for him. After the program ended Monday night, Trump greeted attendees as he exited the arena.
After Saturday’s shooting, Trump raised his fist to supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania. He then piled into a waiting car and remained out of the public eye until Monday’s convention – but amid a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity.
Trump made phone calls to President Joe Biden and Republican Party leaders and from around the world. He reflected on how he cheated death to conservative publications. He returned home to New Jersey and then flew to Wisconsin for his third Republican presidential nomination convention.
Trump did not speak Monday night, but the support from congressional attendees reflected the comfort Trump has shown in interviews. “I shouldn’t be here,” he said Washington Examiner. in an interview with New York Posthe said, “I must die.”
As speeches at the convention continued, Trump’s allies drove home their feelings about his narrow run. “Two days ago, evil happened to a man we admired and loved so much,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. “I thank God that his hand was on President Trump.”
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina expressed this threat in biblical language and received applause. “The Devil” appeared in Pennsylvania “with a gun in his hand,” he said, “but the American lion rose up and roared.”
A source who spoke to Trump told NBC News that he was in a reflective mood and that the attack had given him a new lease on life.
The source said he believed Trump’s struggle with death would affect his speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, as he and aides rewrote parts of it in the hours after the attack.
In an interview with Washington Examiner magazine reporter Byron York, Trump said: “I basically gave an incredible speech. But he said he “threw it” and made a new version. “Now we have a more unifying outlet.”
Trump resurfaced after receiving personal well wishes from across the nation and the world. Biden and Trump spoke by phone after the shooting, which Biden described as “very cordial” in an interview with NBC News anchor Lester Holt.
“I told him how worried I was and I wanted to make sure I knew what he was really like,” Biden said. “He sounded good. He said he was fine and thanked me for calling him.”
New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also spoke with Trump on Sunday.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., reached out. Former California Speaker Kevin McCarthy talked about his conversation with Trump on Fox News. An emotional Senator Lindsey Graham, RSC. On Sunday, he told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” what he wanted to say to Trump when they plan to connect later that day.
Even independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with Trump earlier Monday, according to Kennedy campaign press secretary Stephanie Spear. Spear, who said Kennedy has not dropped out of the race, said they met to “discuss national unity” and that Kennedy “hopes to meet with the leaders of the Democratic Party as well.”
When he landed in Wisconsin before the convention, an aide shared A video featuring Trump raising a fist, echoing the gesture seen around the world in Butler after the shot.
On Monday, Trump vowed to “move forward” to work on “uniting our nation” – as he called for convictions such as the “witch hunts,” the “January 6 hoax” and “Georgia” to be thrown out. The “Perfect” Phone Call charges, which he described as a political attack coordinated by the “Democratic Department of Justice.”
Fox News’ Bret Baier reported that he spoke with Trump on Monday morning and that Trump was pleased with the federal judge’s decision. He denied an indictment in Florida on charges of improper handling of classified documents — another spectacular development for Trump in a dizzying few days.
Brian Schimming, chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, told NBC News that the shooting gives Trump an opportunity to connect with the nation, adding that Trump’s call for unity resonated with Republicans on the ground.
“I think the president will reflect on what’s happened here in the last few days and certainly use this unfortunate event to bring people together,” Schimming told NBC News in Milwaukee. “So I’m looking forward to the president addressing this and the whole country hearing him say not only that something like this is wrong, but to unite the country in a rare moment when something so tragic happens.”