The RNC is over and there are some things you have to know
The 2024 Republican National Convention: Where do I stand? Where have I been? Where did I go? Where are I? Where am I going? How did I get there?
The 2024 Republican National Convention wrapped up on Thursday night in Milwaukee with former President Donald Trump’s address to the delegates. Trump’s speech marked the first major public remarks he delivered following the assassination attempt against him less than a week ago.
Since then, there’s been an attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump, an entire conspiracy-ridden news cycle surrounding it, and, Yes, J.D. The GOP has a vice presidential pick.
It feels like Disney World for people who prefer novelty cowboy hats than Mickey Mouse ears as the Republican Party has officially selected Donald Trump as its nominee. I would be surprised if I spotted a delegate wearing both before I fly home tonight.
The Republican critics of Trump were either absent or completely converted from the convention. J.D. Vance was the new running mate of Trump, who had once called him “noxious” and “leading the white working class to a “dark place.” Several of Trump’s former rivals for the nomination, including former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley – who earlier this year said she felt “no need to kiss the ring” – appeared on stage and gave speeches endorsing Trump.
That message has resulted in a celebratory mood where people can be found belting the national anthem to strangers. I sat near a pair of attendees who stood on the convention floor and cheered the spiked Celsiuses they were wearing. Shirts, buttons, and stickers emblazoned with the image of Trump after the shooting lined the streets and river walks.
The excitement reverberated onto the internet, where Silicon Valley leaders (and chronic posters) like Elon Musk and David Sacks announced their support for Trump and Vance.
What will the 2024 convention learn from the Biden-Harris campaign? The first in-person convention for the GOP after the COVID pandemic
The Democrats are in town speaking to reporters and the mood is a tad less cheerful than for the Republicans.
On Wednesday in Milwaukee, in a small room lit blue like a teenaged gamer’s bedroom, the Democratic National Committee and the Biden-Harris campaign held a press conference focused on Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation plan to overhaul the federal government in the GOP’s image. On TikTok, I explain Project 2025, but you can watch it here. The presser opened up for questions, but the last thing reporters wanted to talk about was Project 2025. The Democrats wanted to know if Joe Biden could still be expected to lead their ticket after the convention.
It was also the first in-person Republican convention since the COVID pandemic prompted cancellation of most events surrounding the 2020 RNC. There were many speakers at the last evening of the week, from the retired professional wrestler Hogan to the evangelical leader Franklin Graham, and all of them supported the vision of the former president. Here’s what you need to know from the 2024 Republican convention.
While accepting his third nomination, Trump began by promising to be a president for everyone in America, but then pivoted to attacking his enemies.
After those calls for unity and expressions of gratitude, Trump eventually shifted to attacking Democrats for how they weaponize the justice system through the multiple criminal indictments he has faced. He accused his political opponents of using the Covid pandemic to cheat, despite multiple bipartisan reviews that have affirmed the legitimacy of the election.
Five Things You Need to Know Before You Give Up On The Idea Of The RNC: Kai Vance, Donald Trump, and the First Lady Lara Trump
Even after surviving an assassination attempt, Donald Trump is still considered strong by many of his supporters. His son Eric said his father was the greatest fighter he had ever seen.
There had been a lot of talk that Trump might seek to broaden his appeal by choosing a female running mate, as well as a person of color. Trump chose another man and one who will be an aggressive fighter on his behalf.
Vance’s evolution from Trump critic to Trump supporter, and his Ohio roots, could help him make a case for Trump to swing voters in key states in the Midwest and Rust Belt.
Kai was the first grandchild of a Donald Trump to speak publicly at the convention.
Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, now dominated by Trump allies, delivered Tuesday night’s keynote speech, describing him as an “amazing grandfather.” Lara Trump also thanked her father-in-law for always supporting her, saying “thank you for never giving up on me.”
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trump’s former press secretary, spoke that same night, painting the picture of a compassionate boss who empowered women in his White House.
First Lady of Donald Trump made her appearance on the convention floor for the first time. Donald Trump thanked his wife during his speech for releasing a letter saying national unity was needed in the wake of the assassination attempt.
Source: The RNC is over. Here are 5 things you need to know.
Why Do We Need the United States? Vivek Ramaswamy at the Young Millennial Convention at the University of North Carolina
Vivek Ramaswamy, a former rival for the Republican nomination, spoke directly to millennials and Gen Z in his speech on Tuesday. Ramaswamy told the group that the United States of America is still the best hope for them, even though they are cynical about it.
The convention also highlighted a group of fraternity brothers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who gained attention recently for holding up an American flag after anti-Israel protesters tried to replace it with a Palestinian flag.
Recent polls show that Biden and his party are losing to younger voters, particularly men, as Republicans outreach to younger voters.
