Former Rivals Embrace Trump at Republican National Convention

Delegates cheer at the National Republican Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 16, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

MILWAUKEE—Former President Donald Trump received praise from a host of Republican leaders and 2024 candidates during the second day of the party’s national convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Former President Trump, who was formally nominated by the convention for the presidency in the 2024 election, sat in the VIP booth listening to speeches in support of his candidacy and that of the party’s U.S. Senate candidates.

The lineup included Senate candidates from all battleground states, House Republican leaders, Trump’s former primary rivals, and ordinary Americans who had suffered from tragedies that drew attention to the GOP’s key issues this campaign cycle.

Below are the night’s key takeaways.

Nikki Haley speaks at the RNC in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 16, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Nikki Haley Calls on Republicans to Unite Behind Trump

“I’m here tonight because we have a country to save, and a unified Republican Party is essential to saving her,” said former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-S.C.) during a primetime address at the Republican National Convention.

Ms. Haley took the stage to address the convention in support of her former boss. She was not initially scheduled to speak but was invited personally by him after a would-be assassin nearly took his life on July 13. A few days before the convention, Ms. Haley also released her delegates to support former President Trump.

Ms. Haley praised the former president’s national security policies, which she participated in as Ambassador to the United Nations during his term at the White House. She contrasted former President Trump’s tenure to the Biden and Obama administrations, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attack Ukraine during former President Trump’s tenure because he was “tough.”

Former President Trump smiled during Ms. Haley’s remarks.

Ms. Haley was the former president’s last major primary opponent to drop out of the race. She criticized him during the primary campaign for his temperament and his alleged inability to expand the party’s appeal. She initially did not endorse him after she withdrew from the race.

“Donald Trump has my strong endorsement, period,” Ms. Haley said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 16, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

DeSantis Summarizes the GOP’s Conservative Vision

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) was former President Trump’s principal opponent for much of the Republican presidential primary in 2023 and early 2024.

Mr. DeSantis dropped out of the primary and endorsed the former president shortly after the Iowa caucuses in January. His convention speech marked the first time since then that the governor has campaigned in favor of his former rival.

In his speech, Mr. DeSantis attacked President Joe Biden’s policy record on inflation and immigration, his decision to withdraw the U.S. from Afghanistan, and his aging.

The theme of Mr. DeSantis’s speech was the contrast between the political Right and the political Left in America—a theme he emphasized during his presidential campaign to highlight his record as governor of Florida.

“Florida is a solidly Republican state,” Mr. DeSantis said, adding that “by electing Donald Trump, we have the chance to do this all across America.”

“It is the values of this Republican Party that reflect our nation’s founding principles. We believe schools should educate, not indoctrinate. We stand for parent’s rights, including universal school choice. We support law and order, not rioting and disorder,” Mr. DeSantis said.

Former President Trump smiled frequently during Mr. DeSantis’s speech and applauded him as it began and ended.

Everyday Americans Given Primetime Speaking Slots

After speeches by party leaders, several everyday Americans took the stage to share their stories.

Anne Fundner, a mother whose son Weston died from a fentanyl poisoning at age 15, called attention to the cross-border smuggling of fentanyl and criticized President Joe Biden for his policies on border security.

“We need President Trump back to save the lives of our kids,” Ms. Fundner said during an emotional speech.

Michael Morin, the brother of Rachel Morin, who was raped and murdered allegedly by an illegal immigrant in Maryland, also criticized the current border security policies.

“When Rachel was killed, President Trump called my family to offer his condolences,” Mr. Morin said. “He cared. That is leadership.”

Following him was Madeline Brame, a criminal justice reform advocate whose son, a veteran, was killed in a stabbing in New York City. “Two of the homicidal maniacs responsible for my son’s death had their assault and murder charges completely dismissed,” Brame said, blaming District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr.

Conventioneer Jim Walsh of Connecticut sports headgear depicting the GOP mascot, an elephant, at the Fiserv Forum, the site of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisc., on July 15, 2024. Janice Hisle/The Epoch Times

Costumes Add Fun to the Atmosphere

Convention goers pride themselves on wearing costumes evocative of the states or territories that they represent.

Nancy Morgan, 57, lives in Las Vegas but was proud to wear the native headdress of the land of her ancestors, American Samoa. She was a guest of the delegates. Her hair was adorned with a ring of greenery and flowers.

“We’re always going to have that whole culture love thing that we do,” she said. “It connects our people.”

People representing the Pacific Islands such as Guam and Hawaii hang out together, she said, because they share similar values and culture.

She loves seeing other convention attendees dressed-up, too, because it “shows the passion they have” for the states they represent.

The entire Texas contingent is one of the most recognizable, typically wearing matching cowboy hats.

But this year, Texas delegate Shawn Ireland had to go without one. He said the manufacturer didn’t make one in his extra-large size.

Ohio delegate Ranae Lentz at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 16, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Texas delegates attend the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 16, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times