Former President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Tuesday, July 17, 2024, despite an attempted assassination at his Pennsylvania rally just days prior. The RNC took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Trump's running mate for the upcoming presidential election was introduced as Ohio Senator JD Vance.
Vance's speech highlighted the populist direction that Trump and the Republican Party aim to take. The third night of the RNC focused on foreign policy failures under President Joe Biden, with Gold Star families criticizing his handling of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. Parents of a Hamas kidnapping victim called for their return using chants during the convention.
Trump's security detail was bolstered following the shooting incident at his Pennsylvania rally, where one audience member was killed and two others were injured along with Trump. Secret Service agents closely guarded him during his appearance at the RNC, separating him from crowds. Trump himself seemed more vulnerable but insisted that his messaging would remain unchanged.
Despite concerns about Vance's political shift and past campaign success, he delivered a capable speech during his introduction at the RNC. He addressed two main questions: how he would handle tensions between his own politics and those of the Republican Party, and how he would address issues like opposition to NAFTA and the Iraq War.
The vibe at the RNC was fairly euphoric, as if the Republican Party was celebrating an election already won. However, some noted that Trump seemed different, more vulnerable since the shooting incident. He sat in the VIP section surrounded by friends and family, calm and sometimes emotional during speeches about his role as a grandfather.
Fact-checking was conducted for Night 2 of the RNC by Louis Jacobson, Samantha Putterman, Ranjan Jindal, Maria Ramirez Uribe, and Mia Penner. The fact-checking process aimed to ensure the accuracy of statements made during the convention.
