ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT

Trump enters Republican convention with a bandage covering his right ear after assassination attempt

Jul 15, 2024, 8:26 PM | Updated: 8:32 pm

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential ca...

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, appear during the Republican National Convention Monday, July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Former President Donald Trump, two days after surviving an attempted assassination, appeared at the Republican National Convention’s opening night with a bandage over his right ear.

Delegates cheered wildly as Trump appeared onscreen backstage and then emerged, visibly emotional, as Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA.” Trump did not address the convention.

Trump’s appearance came hours after delegates nominated the former president to lead their ticket for a third time and welcomed Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate.

“We must unite as a party, and we must unite as a nation,” said Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley, Trump’s handpicked party leader, as he opened Monday’s primetime national convention session. “We must show the same strength and resilience as President Trump and lead this nation to a greater future.”

But Whatley and other Republican leaders made clear that their calls for harmony did not extend to President Joe Biden and Democrats.

“Their policies are a clear and present danger to America, to our institutions, our values and our people,” said Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, welcoming the party to his battleground state, which Trump won in 2016 but lost to Biden four years ago.

Saturday’s shooting at a Pennsylvania rally, where Trump was injured and one man died, was not far from delegates’ minds as they celebrated — a stark contrast to the anger and anxiety that had marked the previous few days. Some delegates chanted “fight, fight, fight” — the same words that Trump was seen shouting to the crowd as the Secret Service ushered him off the stage, his fist raised and face bloodied.

“We should all be thankful right now that we are able to cast our votes for President Donald J. Trump after what took place on Saturday,” said New Jersey state Sen. Michael Testa as he announced all of his state’s 12 delegates for Trump.

The scene upon Trump’s formal nomination reflected the depths of his popularity among Republican activists. When he cleared the necessary number of delegates, video screens in the arena read “OVER THE TOP” while the song “Celebration” played and delegates danced and waved Trump signs. Throughout the voting, delegates flanked by “Make America Great Again” signs applauded as state after state voted their support for a second Trump term.

Multiple speakers invoked religious imagery to discuss Trump and the assassination attempt.

“The devil came to Pennsylvania holding a rifle,” said Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. “But an American lion got back up on his feet!”

Wyoming delegate Sheryl Foland was among those who adopted the “fight” chant after seeing Trump survive Saturday in what she called “monumental photos and video.”

“We knew then we were going to adopt that as our chant,” added Foland, a child trauma mental health counselor. “Not just because we wanted him to fight, and that God was fighting for him. We thought, isn’t it our job to accept that challenge and fight for our country?”

“It’s bigger than Trump,” Foland said. “It’s a mantra for our country.”

___

Associated Press writers Christine Fernando in Chicago, Ali Swenson in Minneapolis, Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix, and Farnoush Amiri, Thomas Beaumont, Michelle L. Price and Sophia Tareen in Milwaukee contributed.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Elections, Politics, & Government

four-day school week...

Don Brinkerhoff

Could a 4-day school week be in the works for rural Utah?

A proposed bill would allow some schools to transition to a four-day school week. The bill's sponsor said the bill would help rural areas.

3 hours ago

Jean-Michel Gisnel cries out while praying with other congregants at the First Haitian Evangelical ...

David Crary, Associated Press

Trump won’t block immigration arrests in houses of worship. Now these 27 religious groups are suing

More than two-dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans filed a lawsuit challenging a Trump administration move allowing immigration agents to make arrests at houses of worship.

8 hours ago

FILE- A large soft drink with a plastic straw from a McDonald's restaurant is shown in Surfside, Fl...

Associated Press

Trump pushes for plastic straws, declares paper ones ‘don’t work’

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is moving to reverse a federal push away from plastic straws, declaring that paper straws “don’t work.” Trump signed an executive order Monday, saying: “It’s a ridiculous situation. We’re going back to plastic straws” The move by Trump — who has long railed against paper straws, and whose 2019 […]

22 hours ago

The U.S. Capitol is seen, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)...

Allessandra Harris Gurr

Privilege tax may be added to the Point of the Mountain

A proposed bill may bring a privilege tax to the Point of the Mountain development.

1 day ago

utah capitol building. ‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider...

DANIELLA RIVERA

‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider consent bill

Just a small fraction of reported sexual assaults in Utah lead to rape charges filed in court, but year after year, a proposed solution has been met with resistance by lawmakers or ignored entirely on Capitol Hill.

2 days ago

FILE - Utah Capitol building. Utah lawmakers begin 2025 session. Utah Legislature is again in sessi...

Greg Skordas

The ‘great men and women’ of Utah Legislature need to take a step back, says legal analyst

The Utah Legislature is again in session and once again, attempting to increase their already overwhelming power. The 2025 Legislative session is another example of their power grab.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Trump enters Republican convention with a bandage covering his right ear after assassination attempt