The former president accepted the GOP presidential nomination and capped off a convention molded in his style.
MILWAUKEE—Former President Donald Trump took the stage on the final night of the Republican National Convention to accept his party’s nomination for the presidency for a third time.
“The discord and division in our society must be healed. As Americans, we are bound together by a single fate and a shared destiny,” the former president said. “We rise together. Or we fall apart.”
“I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America because there is no victory in winning for half of America.”
The speech, which ran about 90 minutes often punctuated by applause and cheers, emphasized expanding the Republican coalition as a means of unifying the country.
A rectangular white bandage covered the wound on his right ear from the recent assassination attempt as he spoke about his vision for the country, contrasting his achievements while in office with President Joe Biden’s record.
Recounting the Assassination Attempt
Before delving into that political vision, former President Trump described his experience on July 13.
In subdued tones, the former president told of being struck on the right ear shortly after beginning his speech, then seeing blood after touching his hand to his hear ear.
“There was blood pouring everywhere and yet, in a certain way I felt very safe, because I had God on my side,” he said.
The former president went on to praise the Secret Service members on duty that day and the crowd, which remained calm rather than stampeding toward the exits.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) had opened the evening’s program with a reminder that “We were just a quarter of an inch away from having a memorial service instead of a nominating convention. And we thank God here tonight for protecting President Trump.”
“I stand before you only because of the grace of almighty God,” the Republican nominee said.
