Milwaukee: Former US President Donald Trump made his first public appearance following his close brush with death as he arrived at the Republican National Convention (RNC) with a bandaged ear, hours after he was formally announced as the party's nominee in the upcoming November 5 elections, where he would take on President Joe Biden. Trump's arrival was marked by overwhelming cheers from the delegates and appeared visibly emotional.
Trump's appearance also came after he picked Ohio Senator JD Vance as his vice presidential running mate in the upcoming elections. The 78-year-old former President walked up the steps, pumped his fists, clapped and thanked the crowd. He also greeted Vance and other delegates at the RNC event. Trump is due to formally accept the party's nomination in a prime-time speech on Thursday.
The four-day convention came days after Trump was shot at during a campaign speech in Pennsylvania, and narrowly evaded death as the bullet grazed past his ear and killed a bystander at the rally. It also came after he secured a major legal victory when a federal judge dismissed one of Trump's criminal prosecutions accusing him of illegally keeping classified documents.
What happened after assassination attempt on Trump?
What appeared to be a regular campaign rally for Trump quickly turned into a scene of horror and chaos as the Republican nominee was shot, with a bullet grazing past his ear, on Saturday. One attendee was killed and two were critically injured. Trump said on social media that a bullet “pierced the upper part” of his right ear before agents whisked him off stage. The Secret Service said it killed the suspected shooter, later identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue.
In his first statement issued on the social media platform Truth Social, 78-year-old Trump also thanked the US Secret Service and law endorsement for their rapid response and also extended his condolences to the family of the person at the rally who was killed. Biden said on Sunday he had ordered an independent review, and Republican lawmakers vowed swift investigations.
In her first major statement since the shooting, which killed a rally attendee, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle said the agency was increasing security for Republican presidential candidate Trump and the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which kicks off on Monday. "I am confident in the security plan our Secret Service RNC coordinator and our partners have put in place, which we have reviewed and strengthened in the wake of Saturday's shooting," Cheatle said in a statement.
Trump selects JD Vance as Vice President
Meanwhile, Trump also picked Ohio Senator and one-time fierce critic JD Vance as his vice presidential running mate. "After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator JD Vance of the Great State of Ohio," he announced on Truth Social Platform.
Vance, 39, was a fierce Trump critic in 2016 but has since become one of the former president's staunchest defenders, embracing his false claims that the 2020 election was marred by widespread fraud. After the announcement by Trump, Vance emerged on the convention floor with his Indian American wife Usha Chilukuri Vance, who traces her origins to Andhra Pradesh, and shook hands with delegates.
"As Vice President, JD will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our Troops, and will do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN," Trump further wrote. Vance is due to address the convention on Wednesday. Opinion polls show a close race between Trump, 78, and Biden, 81, though Trump leads in several swing states that are likely to decide the election.
(with inputs from Reuters)
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