Trump Receives Thunderous Applause At GOP Convention’s Opening Day

On Monday night, only two days after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump received a warm welcome with thunderous applause on the first night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Entering the arena with a bandage over his bullet-glazed ear, Trump’s surprise first public appearance since the assassination attempt prompted an adoring hero’s welcome from supporters, stealing the spotlight on Monday night.

Surrounded by Secret Service agents, Trump greeted his family, Tucker Carlson, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida) and House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Lousiana), before taking his seat beside his newly chosen running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).

Appearing emotional, he absorbed the scene as Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless America,” taking in the crowd chanting, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

During his appearance, Trump did not address the crowd. However, as speakers concluded the night, he occasionally stood up, smiling at the crowd at times and looking as if he was holding back tears.

While Trump seldom reveals his vulnerable side, during Monday’s made-for-television moment, he seemed deeply affected by the audience’s overwhelming support and adoration.

Throughout the night, Republican speakers on the main stage revisited the recent shooting at the Pennslyvania rally, where one of his supporters lost their life, praising Trump for surviving the incident.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia), a staunch ally of the former president, addressed the crowd, describing the night as a solemn moment for America.

She spoke in almost biblical terms about the Pennsylvania shooting and the divine intervention that spared Trump’s life.

“Two days ago, evil came for the man we admire and love so much,” she said, “I thank god that his hand was on President Trump.”

Similarly, Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) addressed the crowd, stating, “The devil came to Pennsylvania holding a rifle, but the American lion got back on his feet.”

The speakers also shared personal stories illustrating their broad influence across various factions of the Republican electorate.

Rep. John James (R-Michigan) urged black voters to support Trump, while Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk targeted Gen Z. Additionally, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-Virginia) advocated for Trump’s economic agenda to the business world and predicted Virginia would turn red.

“The President got hit, went down on his own and came up. And that’s a story that I think resonates with the American people, not just Republicans,” said Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pennslyvania).

The lineup of speakers for the next three days has not been announced yet, but Vance and Trump are scheduled to address the convention crowd later this week.

Vice presidential nominees traditionally speak on the second to last night of the convention, while Trump is scheduled to deliver his speech on Thursday.