Trump makes triumphant return to RNC as delegates give him a hero’s welcome

MILWAUKEE — Former President Donald Trump made his grand return to the Republican National Convention not only as an adored presidential candidate but also as a heroic figure, surviving an assassination attempt just days earlier and being cleared of criminal charges Democrats sought to use to end his campaign.

Trump, with a bandaged ear, made his triumphant entrance at the Fiserv Forum arena in Milwaukee on Monday amid a sea of “Make America Great Again” hats of all colors and “Trump 2024” signs. The crowd repeatedly shouted chants of “USA! USA!” and “Fight! Fight!” just hours after they elevated the former president as their presidential nominee.

Trump didn’t deliver his speech — that’s expected on Thursday — but basked in the crowd’s support before the regularly scheduled RNC programming continued.

Delegates described the atmosphere as being “united” and “excited,” expressing confidence in their ticket to win the White House in November.

“The party is united, the COUNTRY is united,” one delegate told the Washington Examiner. “We will roll back inflation, secure our border, and make America great again.”

At breakfast meetings early Monday morning, party members were greeted with the news that U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon threw out charges against Trump over his handling of classified documents. The charges were dropped after Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to lead the case, a major win for Republicans as the case was viewed by Democrats as one of the best opportunities to prosecute the former president ahead of the election.

The news was met with cheers and standing ovations in the separate breakfast meetings as delegates decried the case as being politically motivated from the start.

“In all honesty, it’s incredible that this case was even proceeding given the clear hypocrisy surrounding the Trump case versus the Biden case,” Aaron Farris, a delegate from Minnesota, said. “I think it’s also important to note that the primary reason President Biden wasn’t prosecuted for his handling of classified documents was because special counsel Hur believed Biden would be portrayed as a feeble, confused, old man to a jury, which would result in his acquittal.”

Republicans also spent much of the day praising Trump after an attempted assassination attempt at a campaign rally over the weekend when the president was pierced in the upper part of his right ear. Trump was later safely escorted from the stage but not before he posed with his fist raised in the air, resulting in what is now an iconic picture Republicans have used as evidence of his strength as a candidate.

“How remarkable was it to show a sense of strength of character, having the wherewithal — leadership qualities from the president with all that going on,” Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) said during a delegation breakfast on Monday. “Really inspiring, quite amazing.”

On the first day of the convention, the delegates conducted a roll call to establish Trump as the GOP nominee, a routine and typically mundane process that was met with fanfare as the former president was formally nominated for the third consecutive cycle.

Delegates were also met with a long-anticipated announcement on Trump’s running mate, with the former president tapping Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) as his vice presidential nominee. The news was met with widespread applause from delegates at the convention, with many crafting makeshift merchandise by writing “J.D. Vance” underneath Trump’s name on his 2024 campaign signs.

“President Trump has never been stronger. Joe Biden is tanking after the debate, his party is calling for him to step aside,” Garrett Ventry, a Republican strategist, told the Washington Examiner. “Meanwhile, Trump is surging in the polls, consolidating GOP support, surviving assassination attempts, and beating Jack Smith yet again.”

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“Picking Vance is a base energizer, a perfect contrast with Kamala Harris who is from California,” Ventry added. “J.D. will help Trump win in the Midwest with a working-class message.”

The convention will continue Tuesday through Thursday, with Trump expected to accept the presidential nomination on the final day of the convention.