Trump's big day, with a united party behind him

Donald Trump delivers a momentous speech on Thursday, supposedly place him on the direct path to reconquest of the White House, at the end of a historic convention to Milwaukee which saw the Republican Party line up in perfect marching order behind it.

Just five days after almost losing his life in a campaign rally, the billionaire will return to the stage, not only as a miraculous survivor of the bullets that grazed him, but above all as the undisputed big boss of the American right.

– Featured dressing –

The former president will speak from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (02:00 a.m. to 03:30 a.m. GMT). His wife Melania, invisible at the convention until today, is expected to be present.

Former US President Donald Trump, with his fist raised, during the Republican convention in Milwaudkee, July 17, 2024 in Wisconsin © AFP – Jim WATSON

Whatever he says, his supporters' eyes will be fixed on the clearly visible bandage on his right ear, illustrating, according to them, the courage of a man who is being brought down and who never gives up.

A high-impact image that will be remembered, just like the one on Saturday of Donald Trump with a bloodied cheek and a raised fist, calling on his supporters to fight while his bodyguards hastily evacuate him from his campaign platform in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Since that shocking moment, the former business magnate and reality TV host has skillfully measured out his media presence, contenting himself with appearing as a silent hero at the Republican high mass organized in Milwaukee, the largest city in the state of Wisconsin, overlooking the lake Michigan.

– Strengthened by a united party –

For three nights in a row, he has triggered thunderous applause and long cheers from his standing supporters, many of whom believe that he escaped the gunfire aimed at him thanks to divine intervention.

On Tuesday night, the 78-year-old billionaire watched with delight as a carefully orchestrated ballet alternated between the party figures he defeated in the primaries, first and foremost Nikki Haley, on the podium.

The former governor of South Carolina, who for months has warned the country of the “chaos” that a return of Donald Trump to the White House would cause, was clear: “Donald Trump has my firm support, period!”.

Two other former rivals, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, have also pledged allegiance to a smiling Donald Trump, relishing this great display of unity behind his person.

What a contrast with the 2016 convention, during which divisions among the Republicans came to light, with some rejecting the excesses of the tribune which has since become his trademark.

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Donald Trump supporters send him a kiss during the Republican convention in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024 in Wisconsin © AFP – Jim WATSON

The 2024 edition, some 110 days before the election, also took place while Joe Biden appears particularly weakened by nagging questions about his mental acuity and calls from elected Democrats, that he withdraws from the presidential election.

The four days of the convention insisted on themes dear to Donald Trump: the power of purchasing, immigration, crime and the security guaranteed by a strong America.

We saw anonymous Americans succeed one another at the desk, selected because they had lost a loved one who had been killed by an illegal migrant or by a fentanyl overdose.

– Trump-Vance, winning ticket? –

Another highlight of the convention: the first grand oral of J.D. Vance, an atypical senator chosen by the candidate for the assist in the campaign.

Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, chosen by Donald Trump as vice president, on stage at the Republican convention in Milwaukee, July 17, 202 in Wisconsin © AFP – Jim WATSON

The young 39-year-old elected official, opposed to aid to Ukraine and practicing a populist anti-immigration discourse, will become vice-president of the United States if Donald Trump wins in November.

Clifton Carroll, delegate from Mississippi, is convinced that “the whole country” is now united around the Republican's candidacy.

“We see people who have never supported Donald Trump rallying around him because they see someone they can trust,” says he told AFP.

Ultra-conservative journalist Tucker Carlson (l) and Donald Trump Jr. on the first day of the Republican convention in Milwaukee, July 15, 2024 in Wisconsin © AFP – Patrick T. Fallon

Among the other speakers invited Thursday as guest stars, the ultra-conservative journalist Tucker Carlson, the president of the UFC, Dana White, main organizer of MMA fights or, in the same vein, the wrestler Hulk Hogan.

The convention will end with a grandiose celebration and gigantic release of red, white and blue balloons.

Reassured on the unity of the Republican Party, with the wind in its sails in the polls and with the full support of the delegates, Donald Trump will return to the campaign and benefit from the unifying effect of the Milwaukee convention.

He planned a meeting for Saturday in the state of Michigan, exactly one week after the shootings that targeted him.

The tens of thousands of visitors will leave with their luggage filled with “Trump” merchandise – caps, t-shirts, collections of tweets, posters, sneakers, etc. — ready to preach the word of their miraculous champion across the country.

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