The Republican presidential candidate held his first rally on Saturday since the assassination attempt, which has become a cult classic among his supporters.
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It was his first rally since the July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Donald Trump, who has just been nominated for presidential candidate by the Republicans, was in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday.
This meeting is an opportunity to see how cult the assassination attempt has become: the image of the Republican candidate, his ear covered in blood and his fist raised, is everywhere. “This is my best selling t-shirt right now, assures a seller, because he’s the strongest guy in the world.”
“Who gets shot and still wants to talk to people?”
A pro-Trump salesmanto franceinfo
A man buys him a red “Make America great again” cap for $26, he put a bandage on his ear like Donald Trump, “in solidarity”he says. There are even plastic statues made with a 3D printer, which represent this moment. “I think it’s one of the most important moments in American history, truly mythical, enthuses Joe, 26. I had a table full this morning, it’s all gone. I sell them for $20 for a small one, the medium for $40.”
For Donald Trump supporters, if their candidate is here, it is thanks “to God who saved his life, who controls the world.” Exactly what Donald Trump says and repeats when he arrives on stage. He attributes his survival to the “Grace of God”. Trump is addressing a population that feels downgraded with, at his side, for his first meeting, his running mate JD Vance, senator from Ohio, whom he presents as a man close to the “workers”, “those who work hard and were not treated as they should have been”.
The speech resonates with Dakota, who drove two hours to see the meeting. “I have never seen a single Democrat give me a better salary or more benefits when they say they are for workers. Trump does more for America and its citizens, the money in my pocket seems heavier.” Donald Trump did not choose Michigan by chance: it is a key state, a swing state which could swing the election.