Former President Trump arrived unannounced at the Republican National Convention on Monday, firing up the crowd during his first public appearance since a gunman tried to assassinate him during a rally Saturday night.
“We want Trump,” the crowd chanted as Lee Greenwood sang his anthem, “God Bless America.”
Trump, wearing a white bandage on his right ear, entered the stadium and sat with his family and applauded as he shook hands with Sen. J.D. Vance, an Ohio Republican and his new running mate. The two men stood together as Greenwood sang and introduced him as “the next president.”
The crowd then chanted “USA” several times and then “We love Trump” as the former president stood up and smiled.
Traditionally, nominees speak on the fourth and final night of the national nominating convention. Trump’s appearance on the first night, however, was not unexpected. His supporters have been enthusiastic since he survived an attempt on his life, raising his fist and chanting “Fight, fight, fight!” immediately afterward.
“On Saturday, the devil came to Pennsylvania with a rifle in his hand, but an American lion stood up and roared,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said in a speech earlier Monday.
His hearing was damaged in the attack, which killed one member of the public in addition to the gunmen, and injured two others.
Trump's appearance came on the first day of the convention, which was dominated by the selection of Vance as Trump's running mate.
Trump called for unity after the attack, but among the first night’s speakers was North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who told a church service in late June, “There are people who need to be killed.” Robinson made no similar comments Monday, instead focusing on his life story and his fight to become his state’s first Black governor, as well as attacks on President Biden’s policies.
Mehta reported from Milwaukee and Bierman from Washington.
