"Donald Trump is someone I strongly support." (Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations)
"Let's send Trump back to the White House." (Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida)
On the second day of the U.S. Republican National Convention on the 16th (local time), Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and a primary rival and adversary of former President Donald Trump, and Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, also took the stage to express strong support for him. Earlier, former President Trump, who was shot during a campaign event, appeared at the venue again on this day with a bandage on his ear, continuing from the previous day. Some party members also caught attention by wearing bandages on their ears as a fashion statement.
Both Haley and DeSantis Say "No to Biden"
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." Notably, the prime-time speaker lineup included many former rivals who had strongly criticized former President Trump, drawing attention.
After former President Trump entered the convention venue, Nikki Haley took the stage around 8:30 p.m. and said, "Former President Trump asked me to speak for unity," adding, "Let me be clear first: Donald Trump is someone I strongly support."
Haley acknowledged that, as she experienced, not all Americans always agree with former President Trump. She said, "You don't have to agree 100% to vote for former President Trump," adding, "I haven't always agreed with him, but I agreed on many things. We agree on keeping America strong and safe. We agree that the Democrats have shifted too far left and are endangering our freedoms."
Haley, who had stayed in the primary race until the end, was initially not invited to the convention due to being on Trump's bad side, but was included as a speaker after the shooting incident on the 13th. Local media noted that her appearance was met with both cheers and boos early on. The Republican Party judged that the shooting incident necessitated strengthening unity and cohesion within the party, leading to Haley's addition as a speaker.
She also mentioned the TV debate that spread calls for Democratic President Joe Biden to withdraw his candidacy. Haley said, "After watching the debate, we all realized it was true," and claimed, "If President Biden works for another four years, or if Kamala Harris stays even one day longer, our country will be much worse off." She criticized the Biden administration by naming border security as the greatest threat facing Americans, stating, "Thousands of illegal immigrants enter our country every day. We have no idea who they are, where they are going, or what they will do."
Following Haley, Governor DeSantis took the stage and raised his voice, saying, "Let's send President Biden back to his basement and send former President Trump back to the White House." DeSantis referenced the 1989 American comedy film Weekend at Bernie's to attack Biden's age controversy. The film centers on two protagonists struggling to make their deceased boss appear alive over a weekend. The implication was that the elderly President Biden is incapable of performing his duties.
DeSantis said, "Our enemies do not limit their plans from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We need a commander-in-chief who can lead 24 hours a day, seven days a week." This remark was interpreted as targeting media reports that Biden reduces events after 8 p.m. and increases sleep time. He continued, "When Trump was our commander-in-chief, our country was respected," and argued, "As a citizen, husband, and father, I feel a sense of crisis that the current president lacks the ability to perform his duties."
Earlier that evening, the first to take the stage among primary rivals was entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. He had dropped out early in the primary but publicly supported former President Trump and was once mentioned as a vice-presidential candidate. Ramaswamy emphasized the importance of the rule of law and that he is the child of a legal immigrant to the U.S., pledging, "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.
Trump Attends Two Days in a Row with Bandaged Ear
Former President Trump and vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance appeared at the convention venue around 8 p.m. with a few minutes' difference. Trump appeared after Vance, showing more confidence than the previous day with a bandage on his right ear. He raised his fist and applauded the cheering party members.
When former President Trump took his seat, a video criticizing President Biden for undermining border security and allowing dangerous individuals into the U.S. was shown at the convention. The narration in the video included, "Former President Trump kept our borders safe and kept our families safe," and "He will do it again."
Then, Senator Ted Cruz, a 2016 primary competitor, took the stage and shouted, "God bless former President Trump," delivering a speech while Trump listened attentively. Haley and DeSantis's speeches followed immediately after.
CNN reported that former President Trump would attend the convention every night until the final day along with vice-presidential candidate Vance. Vance will take the stage the next day for an official speech. Trump will deliver his acceptance speech on the final night, the 18th. The two plan to hold their first joint campaign rally this weekend in Michigan after the convention.
At the venue that day, some Republicans were also seen wearing square-shaped white bandages on their ears, showing their support for former President Trump as a fashion statement. Joe Neglia from Tempe, Arizona, told The Guardian, "I saw former President Trump get shot. I thought he almost gave his life for the country and deserved respect," adding, "So I thought we should start a fashion trend."
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