MILWAUKEE – Just five days after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump called for national unity as he formally accepted the GOP presidential nomination at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
“I am running to be president for all of America, not just half of America, because there is no victory in winning for only half of America,” Trump emphasized to the thousands of delegates, party officials, and activists gathered at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, as well as to the national audience watching from home.
“The discord and division in our society must be healed. As Americans, we are bound together by a single fate and a shared destiny. We rise together, or we fall apart,” the former president noted.
The shooting, which occurred at Trump’s rally in western Pennsylvania, resulted in the deaths of one spectator and the gunman. This event profoundly impacted the tone and message of the convention, altering Trump’s address.
“Let me begin this evening by expressing my gratitude to the American people for your outpouring of love and support following the assassination attempt at my rally on Saturday,” Trump said. “As you already know, the assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life.”
The former president recounted the incident, acknowledging the bravery of the Secret Service agents who protected him. “There was blood pouring everywhere, and yet, in a certain way, I felt very safe, because I had God on my side,” Trump said. “The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had not moved my head at the very last instant, the assassin’s bullet would have perfectly hit its mark, and I would not be with you tonight.”
Trump attributed his survival to divine intervention, saying, “I am not supposed to be here tonight. I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God. Many people say it was a providential moment.” The crowd responded with chants of “Yes you are. Yes you are.”
He urged the nation to value every moment, stating, “None of us knows God’s plan, or where life’s adventure will take us. But if the events of last Saturday make anything clear, it is that every single moment we have on earth is a gift from God. We have to make the most of every day for the people and country we love.”
During his speech, Trump paid tribute to Corey Comperatore, the former fire chief killed at the rally, by placing his helmet and firefighting jacket on stage and asking for a moment of silence. He announced that he had raised over $6 million for Comperatore’s family and the families of the two men seriously wounded in the shooting.
Trump also expressed gratitude to his wife, former First Lady Melania Trump, highlighting her call for unity in the wake of the assassination attempt. “On this journey, I am deeply honored to be joined by my amazing wife, Melania,” he said, referring to her letter to America which called for unity.
“Some very serious people said that we should take that letter and put it as part of the Republican platform. That would be an honor, wouldn’t it?” Trump remarked.
He also thanked his family, especially his children and grandchildren, for their support.
In the wake of his brush with death, Trump called for a reduction in political tensions. “In an age when our politics too often divide us, now is the time to remember that we are all fellow citizens—we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” Trump stressed.
“We must not criminalize dissent or demonize political disagreement. In that spirit, the Democrat Party should immediately stop weaponizing the Justice System and labeling their political opponent as an enemy of democracy, especially since that is not true,” Trump claimed.
Addressing all Americans, Trump emphasized unity while criticizing the current administration. “To every citizen, whether you are young or old, man or woman, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, black or white, Asian or Hispanic,” Trump said, refraining from using President Biden’s name more than once. “They will not have done the damage that Biden has done. I’m only going to use the term once. Biden. I’m not going to use the name anymore. Just one time.”
FOX