Key Points
- Donald Trump has given his first speech since surviving an attempted assassination at a campaign rally.
- Trump said it would be the only time he discussed the shooting, as it would be “too painful” to speak about again.
- He formally accepted the Republican Party’s presidential nomination ahead of the 2024 election.
Former United States president has formally accepted the Republican Party’s nomination in the 2024 US federal election.
His speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee marked his first public address since surviving during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on 13 July.
Trump gave a message of “confidence, strength and hope” and vowed to deliver an “incredible victory” in the election.
He also recounted his experience of being shot at during the assassination attempt.
“Together we will launch a new era of safety, prosperity and freedom for citizens of every race, religion, colour and creed,” he said.
“The discord and division in our society must be healed. We must heal it quickly. As Americans, we are bound together by a single fate and a shared destiny. We rise together or we fall apart.”
Trump said he was running “for all of America”.
“There is no victory in winning for half of America. So tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for President of the United States.”
Trump recounts assassination attempt
Trump also spoke about the assassination attempt. He said it would be the only time he shared his story, and that it would be “too painful” to discuss again.
Trump recounted speaking at the rally and said he had been turning to point to a chart when he heard a “loud whizzing sound” and felt something hit him “really, really, hard” on his right ear.
“I said to myself, ‘Wow, what was that? It can only be a bullet,'” he said.
“[I] moved my right hand to my ear, brought it down, and my hand was covered with blood. Just absolutely blood all over the place.”
Trump said as Secret Service agents ran to protect him from bullets, he had felt safe because he “had God” on his side.
“Bullets were flying over us, yet I felt serene, but know Secret Service agents were putting themselves in peril,” he said.
“I’m not supposed to be here tonight. Not supposed to be here.”
He also described raising his fist and shouting “fight, fight, fight” to let the crowd know he was okay.
“Once my clenched fist went up, and it was high into the air — you’ve all seen that — the crowd realised I was okay and roared with pride for our country, like no crowd I have ever heard before,” he said.
“For the rest of my life, I will be grateful for the love shown by that giant audience of patriots that stood bravely on that fateful evening in Pennsylvania.”
Trump also paid tribute to Corey Comperatore, who was shot and killed at the rally, and described him as an “unbelievable person”.
It comes as pressure continues to mount on .
Prominent Democrats including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and actor George Clooney have called for Biden to drop out of the presidential race due to concerns of a decline in his health and cognitive abilities.
