Trump Assassination Attempt Unifies Republicans Ahead of RNC

Former President Donald Trump will officially become the GOP nominee for president at this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, days after surviving an assassination attempt. 

The four-day event kicks off on Monday, less than 48 hours after a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, grazing Trump’s ear with a bullet. The assassination attempt, which resulted in the death of one man and the shooter, as well as the injuries of two others, has invigorated and unified Republicans as they head into the week.

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday. “I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”

Pre-assassination attempt polling has Trump 2.7 percentage points ahead of President Joe Biden in the national head-to-head matchup, according to the RCP Average. Republicans are hopeful it will grow in the aftermath of Trump being bloodied, but unbowed, on Saturday.

Trump will be the supernova speaker in a lineup of red giants. While the RNC has not yet released a detailed schedule of its speakers, Trump has supposedly tapped several celebrities to make an appearance at the podium, including reality star Savannah Chrisley, UFC President Dana White, and model Amber Rose. 

Former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley was recently added to the itinerary and is set to speak on Tuesday night. Haley was not previously invited to the event, according to her spokesperson, but last week released her 97 delegates and encouraged them to vote for Trump. Her sudden inclusion could signal a renewed effort at party unification after Saturday’s assassination attempt.

There will also be a mystery speaker at the convention – Trump’s running mate. Trump has yet to announce his vice-presidential nominee but is expected to do so this week. Vice-presidential nominees typically speak on Wednesday evening.

While the advent of modern media encouraged inviting headline-worthy speakers to the convention, the main object of the gathering has always been to take care of party business. 

To kick off the week, the entire Republican National Committee will vote to approve the GOP’s 2024 platform on Monday, which was adopted by the RNC’s platform committee in an 84-14 vote last week. By the end of the week, 2,429 delegates – 2,325 of whom are pledged to Trump – will officially nominate the GOP standard bearer, who traditionally accepts the role with a speech. This will likely occur on Thursday night.

There will also be opportunities for politicians, visitors, and media (no general public allowed) to socialize at the convention. The RNC’s master event calendar offers everything from a prayer breakfast to a night with DJ Crooks. 

Each day of the convention will have a theme and will play off Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan. Monday’s theme is “Make America Wealthy Once Again,” Tuesday’s is “Make America Safe Once Again,” Wednesday’s is “Make America Strong Once Again,” and Thursday’s is “Make America Great Once Again.”

The convention will test the GOP, asking whether they will put their full-throated support behind Trump at a time when the party is riddled with schisms. Some Republicans lament that the GOP has become “the party of Trump” – others think the “extreme MAGA Republican wing of the GOP” has caused nothing but “chaos and dysfunction.”

But honestly, the former president dodged a bullet only to rise again not a moment later, hush his Secret Service, pump his fist in the air, and lead the crowd in a “USA” chant, all with blood splattered across his face and an American flag billowing above him. It is hard to see a world in which Trump loses favor among Republicans – and, more generally, Americans.

“Delegates were already excited for the RNC in Milwaukee,” said Niraj Antani, a Republican Ohio state senator and a convention delegate. “Now, delegates will go to the RNC feeling a duty to protect President Trump and the values he fights for.”