Republicans have come together in support of the former president who has reshaped the party during his tenure.
MILWAUKEEâThe 2024 Republican National Convention has showcased a mix of different voices and perspectives.
Former President Donald Trump, known for his bold personality as a New York real estate tycoon, stands in contrast to Ivy League-educated Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) from the Rust Belt.
Amber Rose, a former critic of the president who has since changed her stance, and Teamsters leader Sean OâBrien also diverge from the traditional RNC profile represented by figures like Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) or former President George W. Bush.
Despite the diversity within the party, there appears to be a strong sense of unity following an attempt on the former president’s life.
This unity is closely tied to the former president and his “Make America Great Again” movement, which has bridged gaps between different ideologies.
Popular figures from the MAGA movement such as Kari Lake and Peter Navarro received enthusiastic applause at the Fiserv Forum. On the other hand, individuals like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who are less favored by the former president’s base, faced opposition, with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) leading the charge against Mr. McCarthy.
âI feel bad for that as a Kentuckian,â Harvey VanHook, a local Republican official in the state, expressed to The Epoch Times regarding the negative reaction towards Mr. McConnell.
Notably absent from the convention were Mr. Romney and former President Bush, symbols of an earlier era of the Republican Party.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) criticized past Republican leaders for involving the U.S. in wars that resulted in casualties, highlighting a shift in priorities within the party.
Delegates like John Mowery from Alaska praised the former president’s “America First agenda” for challenging the old establishment.
North Dakota state Sen. Judy Estenson reflected on her change in perspective since the 2016 convention, where she supported Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), now acknowledging the former president’s demonstrated leadership.
She described the convention as a strategic tool for promoting party stability.
Presidential and VP Candidates Unite
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley delivered speeches, with the latter showing strong support for her former rival. Several presidential hopefuls, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and former VP candidates like South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), also voiced their backing.
In his acceptance speech on July 17, Mr. Vance focused on trade, military interventions, and immigration, emphasizing the identity of America as a nation rather than just an idea.
The Marine veteran and Yale Law graduate resonated with the RNC audience by sharing his heartland story. Despite his differences from the former president, Mr. Vance exuded a similar energy to the MAGA movement, especially in his critiques of high finance.
âWhen JD said something negative about Wall Street, I could just hear the country club Republicans looking for another party,â Mr. Burchett remarked.
Franklin Graham of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, a speaker on July 18, may have been included to address those concerns.
The convention presented a contrast to President Joe Biden’s campaign, which has faced skepticism within the Democratic Party. While Republicans have rallied around their leader, Democrats appear to be experiencing internal divisions ahead of their August convention, which may involve virtual nomination procedures earlier in the month.
During a press conference in Milwaukee on July 18, Biden campaign manager Quentin Fulks reiterated that the president remains the Democratic nominee despite reported defections among party members.
Meanwhile, Democratic messaging against Mr. Vance and former President Trump was evident through mobile billboards near the RNC venue. The political landscape was further highlighted by competing advertisements along the city’s highways.
Janice Hisle contributed to this report.
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