Former President Donald Trump made his first appearance at the Republican National Convention on Monday evening, just two days after an assassination attempt.
Trump was joined by his running mate announced just hours earlier, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio. Trump's entrance for the final hour was greeted with thunderous applause, emotion, and nearly brought the nation's 45th president to tears.
The crowd begged for Trump to speak, though neither he nor Vance ultimately did on a night themed "Make America Wealthy Again" and full of speakers talking about the economy. The suspense of announcing Vance finally broke and became official Monday afternoon.
Speakers throughout the night included congressmen, businessmen, political commentators, and “everyday Americans.” Those coming to the podium were diverse of gender and race, were of broad socioeconomic means, and included the expected among political leaders and the unexpected inclusive of some saying they voted previously for Democrats, regretted it and would not for the Nov. 5 Election Day.
Sean O'Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, was the keynote speaker finishing the evening. Unions are stereotypically known for support of Democrats, and that party of them. Yet, O'Brien shared a message on the American worker, said each of those individuals has the free choice when voting and backed reasoning for voting Republican.
Speakers, and delegates in response, were united in calling for the nation to pray for peace after the attempt on Trump’s life in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“[This is] a somber moment for our nation . . . I thank God that his hand was on President Trump,” said U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.
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