At the end of May, Donald Trump was convicted in a business fraud/campaign finance violation case, with the judge in New York setting the sentencing date for July 11, just five days before the Republican National Convention. As Trump faced additional legal battles in Washington DC, Florida, and Georgia, his political journey took a significant turn with several key developments.
In late June, Trump had a successful debate against Joe Biden, which added pressure on Biden from his party to consider stepping down from the race. Trump’s fortunes improved further in early July with several legal victories, including a major Supreme Court ruling that expanded presidential immunity to cover all “official acts,” and the judge in New York agreeing to postpone his sentencing. Trials in other cases were also deferred until after the election.
The most dramatic turn of events was the assassination attempt on Trump, which he survived, galvanizing his support base and solidifying his position as the frontrunner for the upcoming elections. This atmosphere of celebration and determination was evident as Trump arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the Republican National Convention, which kicked off at the Fiserv Forum, the home of the Milwaukee Bucks, with over 2,400 delegates and an expected 50,000 attendees.
During the convention, Trump was set to be nominated as the Republican candidate. Key Republican figures, including primary rivals like Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy, were scheduled to speak throughout the week. Trump was also expected to announce his vice presidential pick and attempt to project unity to capitalize on the current national mood.
The convention’s themes for each day reflected Trump’s agenda:
– Monday: “Make America Wealthy Once Again,” focusing on economic issues and attacking the Biden administration’s handling of inflation.
– Tuesday: “Make America Safe Once Again,” highlighting immigration policies and proposing extensive deportation measures.
– Wednesday: “Make America Strong Once Again,” criticizing Biden’s foreign policy and portraying Trump as a strong leader capable of preventing another world war.
– Thursday: “Make America Great Once Again,” where Trump would deliver his acceptance speech, attacking Biden’s presidency and presenting himself as the savior of America.
The assassination attempt provided an opportunity for Trump to reach out to swing voters with a message of unity. In an interview, Trump emphasized the need to bring the country together and hinted at a revised convention speech focused on unity.
The convention was also eagerly awaiting Trump’s vice presidential pick. Contenders included JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Doug Burgum, and Tim Scott, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Regardless of the final choice, the convention underscored Trump’s dominance in reshaping the Republican Party and solidifying his position as the party’s candidate for the 2024 presidential election.