The 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) was held from July 15-18 in Milwaukee, WI. The Convention came on the heels of an assassination attempt on the former President Donald Trump, the current Republican nominee.
The RNC began with a commencement ceremony where Trump came on stage with his ear bandaged, and he made history by being the first candidate of the Republican party to run three straight elections. Trump spoke with confidence and hope for this year’s election.
“[We must] realize our country’s true potential and write our own thrilling chapter of the American story,” Trump said. “We can do it together. We can unite. We are going to come together and success will bring us together.”
The first day of the RNC came with the announcement of Trump’s running mate, 39-year-old Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.In his past, Vance served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Iraq War, was a lawyer and wrote a memoir called Hillbilly Elegy that talked about his experiences growing up in the working class. He originally did not support Trump in his 2016 election, but he has preached his support publicly throughout the past couple years.
“I pledge to every American, no matter your party, I will give you everything I have to serve you and make this country a place where every dream you have for yourself, your family and your country will be possible once again,” Vance said.
As the RNC continued, the different speakers continued to bring up a variety of controversial topics. One example is the problem of inflation in our country and the rest of the world.
“American families have been crushed by inflation,” Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers said.
Trump made a promise regarding how he will handle inflation if he wins this election.
“I will end the devastating inflation crisis immediately, bring down interest rates and lower the cost of energy,” Trump said. “We will drill, baby, drill.”
Another common topic was the immigration crisis, especially in Texas. Trump criticizes Democrats’ response to immigration, specifically President Joe Biden’s policies. He addressed the audience on what the Republican view is.
“The current administration took away all of the great Trump policies I put in place to seal the border,” Trump said. “[They can] come in, but should come in legally. Do you know how unfair it is that so many people have been working and working for years to come into our country, and now they see people pour into our country at levels that are unprecedented? We’re not going to stand for it.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott rallied the audience in a speech he made at the end of the third night of the RNC, calling them to action in this election.
“It is time to restore order at the border,” Abbott said. “It is time to rid our streets of crime and chaos. It is time to secure our nation by returning Donald Trump as president of the United States of America.”
The Republicans, if they win, plan for a large deportation of illegal immigrants that will take place a couple of months after the election.
“As president, I will carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history,” Trump said.
Trump’s reasoning behind the mass deportation is to protect American citizens. He promises to protect the LGBTQ+ community as well. This brought a Republican woman to tears.
“I have a gay son and I know that in his heart he feels the Republican doesn’t embrace his lifestyle, but we do,” the unnamed mother said.
There were some mixed reactions to Trump’s pledge to protect the LGBTQ+ community, however most of the audience cheered at his statement.
As the four-day RNC came to a close, Trump accepted the Republican Party’s nomination to be their candidate with Vance as his running mate. He left the Republicans with a promise to bring unity back to the country.
“I will be president for all of America, not half of America because there is no victory in winning only half of America,” Trump said.
