By: Melissa Zhao
Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, delivered a speech on Thursday, July 18, at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was the first time he had talked to the public since he was almost assassinated at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13, where Trump’s ear was injured by the shot.
Donald Trump’s speech on Thursday concluded the four-day convention in Milwaukee. The Republican National Convention is an event where the United States Republican Party nominates and confirms candidates for the 2024 United States Election. Trump became the 2nd Republican to be nominated as president three times in a row at the RNC, after Richard Nixon.
In the first three days, he appeared at the convention but did not speak, with a large white bandage covering the ear wound he sustained in the Saturday shooting. His survival had shaped the week, with many of his supporters chanting “Fight, fight, fight,” at the rally in Pennsylvania, after Trump got to his feet and pumped his fist. While many people were still in shock at the attempt and were terrified Trump’s actions inspired many Republicans.
The shooter, a young man named Thomas Matthew Crooks, was seen on a roof of a building with a rifle and was reported. However, he had an advantage being so high up, and in the middle of Trump’s speech at the Pennsylvania rally, he fired at Trump, giving the former U.S. president an ear injury. Afterwards, he started firing into the crowd before U.S. Secret Service agents retaliated and shot back, killing him.
Trump said that the shooting caused him to change his RNC speech, which was originally going to consist mostly of attacks on his opponent, Joe Biden, but is now focused more about unity within the country. “Together, we will restore vision, strength, competence, and we’re going to have a thing called common sense making most decisions.” He also gave his thanks to the people who helped him and paid his tribute to Corey Comperatore, a victim of the shooting after Thomas Matthew Crooks started firing into the crowd.
Meanwhile, as the Republicans are emerging united, the Democrats are becoming increasingly divided in their decision of whether Joe Biden should continue leading or not. Many in the Democratic party agree with Biden’s decision of dropping out of the race after his debate against Trump. Before dropping out, he had been resisting increasing pressure to quit the race, with nearly ⅔ of the Democratic party saying Biden should step aside.
However, Trump is still standing high and pushing forward, even after the attempted assassination. He voiced his opinions of unity within the country in his first speech after the shooting, and he has gained many supporters who have shown their respect for him. Around 44% of registered voters say that if the election was to happen now, they would vote for Trump.
Article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cjqe1xj30d0o