(Milwaukee) Donald Trump on Thursday predicted “an incredible victory” in November, promising “the four greatest years in the history” of the United States if he regains the White House, during a speech at the Republican convention in Milwaukee.
The former Republican president also wanted to show himself to be a unifier, a few days after his assassination attempt: “I am running to be the president of all of America, not of half of America,” he assured.
Trump then gave a detailed account of the assassination attempt he suffered last week at a rally in Pennsylvania.
When the shots rang out, “I immediately understood that this was very serious, that we were under attack,” he said in his first speech since, a bandage over his right ear. “Blood was flowing everywhere. And yet, in a way, I felt safe, because I had God on my side.”
The former president later observed a moment of silence for Corey Comperatore, the firefighter killed in the assassination attempt.
“Despite this heinous attack, we come together tonight, more determined than ever,” the Republican presidential candidate said immediately afterwards.
Personalities parade
While the often bombastic Mr. Trump sought to project a softer tone Thursday night, the speaking schedule on the convention’s final day was decidedly more masculine than it has been for much of the week.
Former first lady Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump, the president’s eldest daughter and a former senior adviser, were in the convention hall for the first time this week, but neither spoke.
PHOTO JEENAH MOON, REUTERS
Donald Trump’s wife, Melania
Instead, prominent speakers included former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, wrestling icon Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White. Singer Kid Rock was also scheduled to make an appearance.
Attorney Alina Habba, who represented Trump in some of the lawsuits brought against him, was also on the speaking schedule.
Mr. Trump was convicted in May of 34 counts related to a hush-money criminal scheme in New York. But his allies have largely avoided his legal baggage this week, focusing instead on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
“He’s a good man. He has the heart of a lion and the soul of a warrior,” said Linda McMahon, a former wrestling mogul who served in Trump’s cabinet. “I believe that if necessary, he would stand at the gates of hell to defend our country.”
Mr. Trump appeared each of the first three days with a white bandage over his ear, covering a wound he suffered in Saturday’s shooting. Some of his supporters have taken to wearing their own bandages on the convention grounds.
Speakers and delegates gathered in Wisconsin from states across the country repeatedly chanted “Fight, fight, fight!” in tribute to Mr. Trump’s words in the moments after the shooting, when he stood and raised his fist after Secret Service agents killed the gunman.