A Republican convention under high tension to crown Trump

Tens of thousands of Donald Trump supporters meet Monday à Milwaukee for the Republican Party convention, a historic high mass under high tension, upset by the assassination attempt on the former president.

Already arrived in the former industrial city overlooking Lake Michigan, the 78-year-old ex-businessman will most likely be greeted with renewed fervor by his supporters, who almost lost their hero Saturday.

The location chosen for the convention is a huge, very modern sports complex, the walls of which are covered with large photographs to the glory of the 45th President of the United States, who also wants to be the 47th.

Balloons for the Republican Convention, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 12, 2024 © AFP – KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI

But the image that everyone has in mind, and which has gone around the world, is that of Donald Trump with a bloody ear, his fist brandished, evacuated in a manner rushed on Saturday by her bodyguards from a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

An attack which shocked an increasingly polarized American society, even ulcerated the most radical Trumpist activists, who openly accuse the Democrats of bearing responsibility.

– The mystery running mate –

The first highlight of the Republican convention in Milwaukee will surely come this Monday, with the announcement of the person chosen by Donald Trump to be his future vice-president, if he wins the election on November 5.

Republican J.D. Vance, during a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio, September 17, 2022 © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA – JEFF SWENSEN

Three names keep coming up.

That of the best-selling author turned Congressman, J.D. Vance; North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum; and the influential Latino senator from Florida Marco Rubio.

Unless Donald Trump, fond of political drama, announces a completely unexpected profile.

The Republican billionaire's running mate will deliver a speech Wednesday evening in the main hall of the convention, covered for the occasion with red carpets and elephant motifs, the symbol of the party.

The major themes of this unmissable meeting will be purchasing power, immigration, crime and the security guaranteed by a strong America.

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Donald Trump with his fist brandished and his face bloodied: just after the shots which targeted him in Butler, July 13, 2024 © AFP – Rebecca DROKE

But the culmination of this great institutional and festive event will come on Thursday, when Donald Trump will be designated the official Republican presidential candidate.

His coronation is no longer in doubt. , formalized during a spectacular evening, punctuated by the release of 100,000 red, white and blue balloons — already in place.

The motto of the convention : “Make America great again” — a slogan in a nod to that of Donald Trump in 2016.

The septuagenarian Republican arrived on Sunday in this city in the Great Lakes region, but keeps his schedule extremely discreet, security requires.

– A “folded” match –

With its more than 50,000 participants, the Republican Party's high mass already promised to be an ultra-secure event.

Entire perimeters of the city center are fenced off by large metal gates and patrolled by agents of the Secret Service.

This elite police force responsible for the protection of high-ranking personalities assured that she was “totally ready” to guarantee the security of the Republican convention.

The security system in Milwaukee, July 14, 2024 © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA – Jim Vondruska

But she is the subject of strong criticism, accused of not having properly protected Donald Trump during his open-air meeting on Saturday.

Shaking up his schedule, President Joe Biden worked during this weekend which will mark the country to reduce tension, in several solemn speeches.

“There is no place for this kind of violence in America,” declared the 81-year-old Democrat, before calling on the nation to “ unite.” The White House tenant also called his slightly injured rival, saying he was “relieved” that he was safe and sound and condemning the shootings, like major leaders around the world.

The attack against Donald Trump could benefit him electorally, political science experts believe, citing the precedent of Ronald Reagan, who was seriously injured by gunfire in 1981.

They note in contrast how Joe Biden is currently weakened by the nagging questions about his advanced age and his mental acuity, with elected officials from his own Democratic Party who are calling on him to withdraw from the race for the White House.

For Martin Kutlzer, Milwaukee resident and Republican sympathizer, there is no doubt: the race for the White House is “folded”.< /p>

“Donald Trump will win, because we always tend to rally around those who have been affected”, proudly proclaims the sixty-year-old to AFP.

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