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Tasfia Ahmad recaps the Republican National Convention, which took place between the 24th and 27th of August. This article identifies some of the key speakers, their messages, and their aspirations for the Trump-Pence administration. The convention had an especial focus on those living in suburban areas, as well as law enforcement officials. Melania Trump gave her first prominent speech in years; read about the support Trump is receiving from his family.
Between Monday the 24th of August and Thursday the 27th, the United States held another convention for the Republican party. The RNC formally nominates, and introduces, the Republican candidates running for President and Vice President of the United States. This year, the convention focused on Donald Trump, current President of the United States of America. The convention took place in both Charlotte, North Carolina and the White House, in Washington D.C. Some footage was pre-recorded elsewhere, but footage was primarily live from the two aforementioned areas. Each day, for two hours, different speakers and guest stars took to the podium to share words of gratitude and support for the President.
Day One: Monday, August 24
The first day of the convention began with a priest sharing his blessings and optimism to viewers watching at home. It then proceeds with multiple speeches by legislators, supporters, and close family members.
Specific speakers included former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, the President's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina. In addition, many stars like NFL player Herschel Walker, and Youtuber, Charlie Kirk shared their perspectives. Civilians like Mark and Patricia McCloskey also delivered a few words; they became well known on social media after waving guns at Black Lives Matter protesters in St. Louis, Missouri.
Donald Trump Jr was the keynote speaker, arguing why his father should keep his position, while Nikki Haley and Tim Scott were the supporting speakers. The convention displayed different people with unique background stories. The audience heard from a bone cancer survivor, the father of a Parkland shooting victim, and Trump's campaign staff. “The best is yet to come”, said Kimberly Guilfoyle, the Trump campaign manager. Trump also appeared in a video with six people who his administration had helped to free, having been taken into custody abroad, and sometimes held for years. The convention aimed to capture the attention of those living in suburban areas.
(left: Nikki Hayler; Middle: Sen. Tim Scott; Right: Donald Trump Jr.)
Day Two: Tuesday, August 25
The second day of the convention offered stories from a personal perspective. First Lady Melania Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Trump’s two children, Eric and Tiffany offered their opinions. Other speakers included Senator Rand Paul, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, New Mexico police officer Ryan Holets, and supporters of the pro-life movement. Melania Trump spoke the most, offering her condolences to the lives lost in war or COVID-19. Her speech was particularly monumental, as she has not been vocal in the White House over the past few years. Additionally, the last time she spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2016, she was accused of plagiarizing Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic National Convention speech.
This speech was not only a show of support for her husband, as some argue it was an attempt at redemption. President Donald Trump appeared again; this time he was giving citizenship to immigrants from five different countries around the world. This particular day of the convention offered a platform to those that care about Trump, as they presented the personal reasons as to why he should be re-elected. “Make America Great Again is not a slogan for my father, it is what drives him to keep his promise of doing what is right for American citizens”, said Tiffany Trump, daughter of Donald Trump.
Day Three: Wednesday, August 26
This day was directed towards Vice President, Mike Pence. He was keynote speaker for Day 3 of the convention. Furthermore, the event contained speakers like Second Lady Karen Pence, Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Attorney and Civil rights activist Chen Guangcheng, NFL player and Democrat Jack Brewer, former NFL coach Lou Holtz, and many other small but notable speakers.
Furthermore, this day of the convention contained more female speakers to honor the women’s suffrage movement. It focused on milestones that allowed women to vote in the country, and gave women a chance to speak about Trump's support for them. Many discussed Trump's care for women, especially in regards to maternal health.
One of those female speakers, Senator of Tennenese, Marsha Blackburn said, “Tonight, I want to talk to you about another kind of hero. The kind Democrats don’t recognize, because they don’t fit into their narrative. I’m talking about the heroes of our law enforcement and armed services. Leftists try to turn them into villains. They want to ‘cancel’ them. But I’m here to tell you these heroes can’t be canceled.”
This event attempted to gain attention of the women, people of color and young viewers in particular. Similarly, the third day of the Democratic Convention was devoted to women, people of color and the youth. However, Republicans sought to attract people living in suburban neighborhoods as they do tend to have a high voter turn-out rate in the election.
Vice President Pence came on stage outside the White House. Here he shared his challenges in trying to achieve the position, Trump's accomplishments and successes, and his goals for the next term. He also took time to discuss Joe Biden, Democratic nominee, and his lack of understanding of America.
Pence claimed, “Last week, Joe Biden said: ‘No miracle is coming.’ What Joe doesn’t seem to understand is that America is a nation of miracles and we’re on track to have the world’s first safe, effective coronavirus vaccine by the end of this year. After all the sacrifice in this … year like no other – all the hardship– we are finding our way forward again.”
Day 3 of the convention also happened to be the same day people were protesting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, for Jacob Blake. He is a 29-year-old African-American man who was shot and seriously injured by police on August 23, 2020. People in Kenosha have been protesting in pursuit of justice for Blake. However, violence increased when 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse traveled 20 miles from his hometown with, and killed and injured protestors with a rifle. This chaos caught the White House’s attention, who demanded National Guard should protect the citizens. Due to this incident, Trump was not shown a lot during this day of the convention.
Day Four: Thursday, August 27
The final day of the convention turned the show to Republican nominee and President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. This day consisted of a theme similar to that of the Democratic Convention, where many of Biden’s colleague’s and family members came out to support.
Guest stars like New Jersey Congressman of District 2, Jeff Van Drew, who changed his party to support Trump during impeachment, Ja’Ron Smith, Deputy Assistant of the President, Ben Carson, Housing and Urban Development Secretary, and other civilizans who wanted to spread their words of encouragement and hope to viewers watching the convention and also to President Donald Trump.
Guest stars like Deputy Assistant of the President Ja'Ron Smith, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, and others wanted to spread encouragement and hope to viewers watching the convention, but also to Trump himself. Jeff Van Drew, who changed his party to support Trump during his impeachment, also spoke. He claimed, "Joe Biden is being told what to do by the radicals running my former party, the same radicals trying to install him as their puppet president."
In addition, Trump’s family, specifically Ivanka Trump, shared their opinions on the current president's achievements. She said, "To the hardworking men and women across America and here tonight, you are the reason my father fights with all of his heart and all of his might. You are the reason he ran for president in the first place and you are the reason he is going to keep fighting for four more years."
President Trump himself spoke, and declared: “At no time before have voters faced a clearer choice between two parties, two visions, two philosophies, or two agendas. This election will decide whether we save the American dream, or whether we allow a socialist agenda to demolish our cherished destiny. This election will decide whether we protect law-abiding Americans, or whether we give free rein to violent anarchic agitators and criminals who threaten our citizens”, said Donald Trump during his speech." He continued, “If the left gains power, they will demolish the suburbs, confiscate your guns, and appoint justices who will wipe away your Second Amendment and other constitutional freedoms.”
Having appeared onstage in front of the White House, surrounded by thousands of people close by, Trump accepted the nomination to be the Republican candidate for the 2020 election. He continued to share his policies and plans for the country, before the convention ended with the President, the First Lady, and the rest of their family watching fireworks.
The Republican National Convention gave a platform to many people, and provided them with opportunities to share stories of how President Donald Trump helped them through those difficult times. That same tactic was used during the Democratic National Convention towards Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, and his running vice president, Kamala Harris. Although the message and theme were alike, individual experiences received more of Trump's attention.
Moving forward, the next events are the three presidential debates, and one Vice President debate. The former is set to take place on September 29th. All meetings will be complete before Election Day, which is on November 3rd.
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