Welcome to the special edition From the policy deskbrings you the latest reporting and analysis from the NBC News Politics team from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Tonight, senior national political correspondent Matt Dixon wraps up former President Donald Trump’s long speech at the US GOP convention, his first since the shooting at a Pennsylvania campaign rally. Plus, we examine Trump’s claims on taxes, crime and foreign policy.
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Trump regales the convention crowd in a lengthy acceptance speech
By Matt Dixon
MILWAUKEE – Donald Trump officially accepted the Republican presidential nomination in a speech Thursday night heavy with references He captured the much-anticipated moment last week, which came only after a grueling and dramatic campaign – after a shoot-out that had survived and ad-libbed with catchphrases and riffs.
Trump, now the first major-party presidential candidate to be convicted of a felony, took the stage after a 20-year-old gunman nearly assassinated him at a rally in Pennsylvania, leaving him bleeding by a bullet in his right ear. . He wore a white square bandage over his wounded ear throughout the convention, with some attendees donning theirs in solidarity during the week-long event.
Although Trump is known for his outspoken public statements and social media posts, he has made highly-scheduled convention appearances in the past. That’s how Thursday’s speech began, but he quickly digressed to thank the speakers and attendees at length, and then drew the crowd for asides, impressions and sometimes hard-to-follow digressions.
His written speech could have come from any number of Republicans, but Trump’s delivery style was similar to his usual pattern at rallies — a style unchanged after he and his allies talked all week about how the shooting changed him.
An assassination attempt just days before the convention forced organizers and Trump aides to figure out how to host the long-planned party after the tragedy. In a hurried 48 hours before the start of the convention, Trump’s aides not only rewrote his speech, but also sent messages to other speakers at the convention to tone down some of his remarks.
Trump mentioned President Joe Biden by name just once, more than 40 times during his acceptance speech for the 2020 Republican nomination.
Trump spoke for 93 minutes exceeded the record he had set For longest nomination acceptance speech at convention in 2016.
☑️ Fact check: NBC News correspondent Jane C. Timm and Ben Kamisar investigated a number of claims Trump made during his speech on topics ranging from taxes to crime to foreign policy. More →
Follow all the action of the night on our live blog →
🗞️ Other top stories tonight
- 🫏 Pressure devices: It’s Biden angry and feeling betrayed by senior Democratic leaders wavering in his campaign. Meanwhile, Sen. John Tester, who is facing a tough re-election battle in Montana this year, has become the second Senate Democrat to publicly call on Biden to drop out of the presidential race. More →
- 💰 Show me the money: As Democratic mega-donors push Biden to drop out of the race, Vice President Kamala Harris’ fundraisers are starting to sell out. More →
- ⚖️ Legal Theory: Hunter Biden is using several court opinions favorable to Trump to argue that his conviction on gun charges should be overturned. More →
- 👕 WWE Style: Retired wrestler Hulk Hogan tore off his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance T-shirt during a congressional appearance and called Trump an “American hero.” More →
- 📸 In photos: Check out our Photo gallery from the GOP convention From Trump sneakers to MAGA dresses to ear muffs, Trump pulls off all the delegates’ looks.
That’s all for the Policy Desk for now. If you have feedback – like it or not – email us politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com
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