US Republican National Convention
On the second day of the U.S. Republican National Convention on the 16th (local time), former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who were rivals of former President Donald Trump in the primary race, are also scheduled to take the stage. This decision was made earlier to emphasize the Republican Party's 'unity' and 'solidarity' following a shooting incident. Former President Trump appeared at the venue again in the latter part of the convention day with a bandage on his ear.
According to CNN's live broadcast, the Republican National Convention, held on the second day at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, focused on crime and immigration policies under the theme "Make America Safe Once Again."
Locally, attention is being drawn to the fact that the prime-time speaker lineup includes competitors who had once criticized former President Trump. Representative figures include former Ambassador Haley, Governor DeSantis, and Senator Ted Cruz, who competed in the 2016 primary. Haley, who endured until the end of the primary race, was once marked as 'unfavored' by the Trump camp and was not even invited to this convention, but was included in the speaker list after the assassination attempt on Trump on the 13th.
The first primary rival to take the stage that evening was entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. He had dropped out early in the primary but has publicly supported former President Trump since. He was once mentioned as a vice-presidential candidate. He began his speech jokingly, saying, "Around this time last year, I was a U.S. presidential candidate," and "Most of you would know my name by now. Thank you."
A fervent Trump supporter, Ramaswamy emphasized the importance of the rule of law and that he is the child of a legal immigrant to the U.S., predicting, "On day one, I will close the southern border." He distinguished between legal and illegal immigrants, underscoring the need for a tough policy on illegal immigration advocated by former President Trump. He also said, "For decades, the media has tried to convince that the Republican Party does not care about the Black community. But we do care. We want what is for all Americans, including you," mentioning safe neighborhoods, clean streets, good jobs, better lives for children, and a judicial system that treats everyone equally regardless of skin color or political beliefs.
As of 10 a.m. Korean time, speeches by former Ambassador Haley and Governor DeSantis had not yet taken place. Closing speeches by Senator Marco Rubio and Lara Trump, former President Trump's daughter-in-law, are also scheduled. Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, is the first member of the Trump family to take the stage. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) analyzed this as a signal of how much former President Trump controls the party.
Before their speeches, J.D. Vance, who was nominated as the vice-presidential candidate the previous day, entered the venue first. Former President Trump appeared around 10 a.m. Korean time with a few minutes' delay. Wearing a blue tie and still with a bandage on his right ear, he headed to the VIP red box. With a more confident expression than the day before, he raised his fist and applauded the party members.
When former President Trump took his seat, a video criticizing President Joe Biden for undermining border security and allowing dangerous individuals into the U.S. was shown at the convention site. The narration in the video included, "Former President Trump kept our borders safe and kept our families safe," and "He will do so again." Then, Senator Ted Cruz, a 2016 primary competitor, took the stage, shouting, "God bless former President Trump," and began his speech, while Trump listened attentively.
CNN reported that former President Trump will attend the convention every night until the last day along with vice-presidential candidate Vance. Vance will take the stage the next day for his official speech. Former President Trump will also deliver his acceptance speech on the night of the last day, the 18th. The two are scheduled to hold their first joint campaign rally this weekend in Michigan after the convention.
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