Grand Rapids, Michigan: Donald Trump takes to the stage at first rally since assassination attempt

Donald Trump has spoken at his first rally since the assassination attempt, with his new running mate JD Vance by his side in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The speech lasted nearly two hours and moved at a scattergun pace through different topics affecting the American people including world trade, removing tax on tips, immigration, world conflicts and electric vehicle regulation.

The Republican presidential nominee took to the stage and immediately thanked emergency services for their efforts during the assassination attempt and asked the crowd to remember those killed and wounded in the attack.

Trump then turned his speech firmly toward those opposing him in the run to the White House and told his supporters that a ‘’vote for Joe Biden is a vote for Kamala Harris’’ as pressure mounts on the US President to stand down.

After an incredible week including the Republican National Conference where Trump accepted the nomination, the newly crowned Republican candidate for the presidency said he ‘ took a bullet for Democracy’.

“They (Democrats) keep saying ‘he is a threat to democracy’,” Mr Trump said.

“I’m saying, what the hell did I do for democracy? Last week, I took a bullet for democracy.”

JD Vance took to the stage earlier to rev the crowd up saying: “We had a hell of a four years with President Donald J Trump, didn’t we? Are we ready to give him another four years?”

Supporters began lining up outside the Van Andel arena at 6am local time, forming lines that snaked around 10 city blocks.

Mr Trump invited Michigan’s Republican candidates for the Senate, Sandy Pensler and Mike Rogers, to the stage before Mr Pensler told the crowd he was ending his campaign bid to make way for Mr Rogers.

Mr Rogers thanked his opponent and Mr Trump for their endorsement, telling the presidential candidate:

An incredibly candid Donald Trump spoke about friends of his campaign and poked fun at himself and others as they returned to the campaign trail.

Speaking about mega-rich worldwide entrepreneur, Elon Musk, Trump said he is a ‘great guy’ and big contributor to his cause.

‘’I love Elon. Musk gives me $45 million a month! Not $45 million, he gives $45 million a month,’’ Mr Trump said.

At one stage his haircut caught his eye and he described his combover in a photo displayed on screens above the stage.

“That’s a severe sucker. What’s with that one?’’ Mr Trump said.

“I apologise. Man! I looked up there, I said, ‘Whoa!’ That’s like a work of art!”

Trump mentioned that he doesn’t tip his barbers well because “I don’t think they do a very good job”.