RECAP: Donald Trump speaks at Republican National Convention as calls mount for Joe Biden to pull out
To say there’s a lot going on in US politics right now would be a huge understatement.
Former President Donald Trump has spoken at the Republican National Conference in a speech that was exactly what Trump supporters would have been hoping to hear.
His speech, on night four of the RNC in Milwaukee, followed a shocking assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The shooting, which killed one audience member and resulted in the death of the perpetrator, Thomas Matthew Crooks, turned the election campaign on its head.
Joe Biden had been facing increasing pressure to step down as the Democratic candidate following a miserable performance in the first presidential debate.
Those calls have continued to intensify in recent days, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi coming out this morning (Australian time) to say that she expects Biden can be persuaded to step down fairly soon.
Recap the highlights — and lowlights — from the RNC below.
Key Events
Trump praises crowd
He praises the audience members who didn’t run in fright and stampede.
He called them out for “bravely” pointing out the shooter.
Trump: ‘I had God on my side’
“I turned to my right and was ready to begin turning a little bit further which I’m lucky I didn’t do. When I felt a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me really really hard in my right ear. I said to myself ‘wow what was that’. It can only be a bullet.
“My hand was covered with blood. I immediately knew it was very serious ... and in one movement continued to drop to the ground.
He acknowledged the “brave” Secret Service agents who rushed to the stage. “There are great people.”
“There was blood pouring everywhere and yet in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side.”
Trump tells story of assassination attempt
“It was a warm, beautiful day in the early evening,” he says.
“Musis was loudly playing and the campaign was going really well. Everybody was happy.
“I began speaking very strongly and powerfully and happily.
“I was discussing the great job my administration did on immigration at the southern border. We were very proud of it.”
Trump: ‘I will govern for all of America’
“I stand before you this evening with a message of confidence, strength and hope.”
He says when he wins the election with an “incredible victory”, it will start a new era.
He’s opened his speech in a conciliatory tone, saying he will govern for “all of America”.
Trump taking a moment
He’s letting the crowd continue their chanting before he kicks off his speech.
He starts by thanking everyone.
Trump onstage
With an incredible White House backdrop. No penny has been spared in the production process.
Trump about to walk onstage
We’re listening to a song by Lee Greenwood first. Stand by.
Dana White: ‘Trump literally putting life on line’
“I know why he’s running for president again.
“Why else would he put himself through everything?
“I know President Trump is literally putting his life on the line for something bigger than himself and he’s willing to risk it all because he loves this country.
“And I know he wants what’s best for the American people. All American people.”
Dana White introducing Trump
He refers to Trump as “a man who truly cares about people”.
He says the mainstream media like to “push the truth” that he doesn’t care about anyone but himself, but he knows that that’s not true.
He also clarified that no one in the Trump campaign told him what to say.
“I’m nobody’s puppet.”
UFC boss Dana White up next
Thankfully, Kid Rock has come to an end.
Dana White is up next.
