MILWAUKEE — Donald Trump was celebrated Tuesday at the Republican National Convention by former rivals who once harshly critiqued him, showcasing unity within the GOP in contrast to the visible divisions in the Democratic Party.
Nikki Haley, former U.N. ambassador and Trump’s final GOP primary challenger, addressed her supporters amid mixed reactions of cheers and boos. “You don’t have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him,” Haley said.
Following her, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, once a close Trump ally but later a primary rival, spoke in support of the former president. “Donald Trump has been demonized. He’s been sued. He’s been prosecuted. And he nearly lost his life,” DeSantis told the crowd. “We cannot let him down. And we cannot let America down.”
These overtures were notable given the personal animosity during the GOP contest, much of it coming from Trump directed at Haley and DeSantis.
As the Republican Convention displayed unity, Democrats are increasingly uncertain if President Joe Biden is the right candidate to face Trump in November.
DeSantis, once seen as a strong contender against Trump, was slow to criticize him at first and later accused him of failing to uphold his promises. Haley had depicted Trump as chaotic and suggested he was too old for another term. She delayed endorsing Trump after dropping out but eventually declared her support.
Biden’s campaign highlighted Haley’s past criticisms of Trump. Campaign spokesperson Austin Weatherford said, “Ambassador Haley said it best herself: someone who doesn’t respect our military, doesn’t know right from wrong, and ‘surrounds himself in chaos’ can’t be president.”
Immigration was a key theme at the convention. Several speakers, including Trump, criticized the high number of migrants entering the U.S. illegally. Trump has pledged to execute the largest deportation operation in U.S. history and has alleged, without evidence, that migrants are entering the country to vote in the 2024 election.
Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana declared, “Biden and Harris want illegals to vote now that they’ve opened up the border.” The convention featured testimonies from individuals who lost loved ones to crimes allegedly committed by immigrants in the U.S. illegally, including Michael Morin, whose sister Rachel Morin was killed by a fugitive from El Salvador.
The recent assassination attempt on Trump was a lingering concern during the convention. One delegate wore a piece of paper over his ear as a tribute to Trump’s bandage. Trump entered the arena with a bandage on Tuesday night after an incident where a man armed with an AK-47 pistol was taken into custody near the convention venue.
On Tuesday, Ohio police officers attending the convention shot and killed a man involved in a knife fight nearby.
Anticipation is building for Trump’s speech at the convention. Trump, known for his harsh language, appeared prepared to deliver a more restrained speech. His son, Donald Trump Jr., mentioned efforts to tone down the rhetoric, hoping for a lasting change in his father’s approach.
However, Tuesday’s program hinted at some of Trump’s old grievances, including mentions of his disproven election fraud theories. Speaker Madeline Brame criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office had prosecuted Trump. Accusing Bragg of mishandling her son’s murder case, Brame echoed a line familiar from Trump’s rallies, “They’re after us. He’s just standing in the way.”
The convention continues with high expectations for speeches from Vance and Trump.