Donald Trump makes a spectacular comeback at the Republican convention in Milwaukee, his right ear bandaged and a smile of a survivor on his face. This marks his first public appearance since the attack, causing a stir in foreign politics with his choice of vice president, J.D. Vance. Vance’s perspective on negotiating peace in Ukraine with the tycoon raises eyebrows and creates tension with London due to a video where Trump predicts that Keir Starmer’s Labour-led Britain will become the first “Islamist” country to possess atomic weapons.
The Fiserv Forum erupts with a standing ovation, chants of ‘USA, USA,’ and ‘Fight, fight, fight’ (echoing his words after being grazed by a bullet) as Trump acknowledges the crowd with tears in his eyes. He is set to formally accept the nomination on Thursday amidst a shower of tricolored balloons, with Melania and Ivanka slated to join the event after their absence at the Fiserv family box.
Prior to his physical presence, a video message from Trump appeared on the arena’s big screen, signaling the end of the brief ceasefire with Joe Biden and his party. In the clip, Trump urges Republicans to use “every available means to defeat the Dems, even voting by mail,” a practice he has long criticized for its association with electoral fraud. The event also saw various speakers attacking the Biden administration and spreading false claims, setting the tone for a highly politicized atmosphere.
J.D. Vance, the 39-year-old junior senator from Ohio, receives a thunderous ovation as he appears with Trump, underscoring the ideological shift in the Republican party to uphold the ‘MAGA’ doctrine. Vance’s views on future U.S. foreign policy raise concerns among European allies, especially in London, which seeks to maintain the ‘special relationship’ amidst Vance’s controversial statements.
Vance’s stance on aid to Ukraine and his plans for negotiating peace with Moscow and Kiev, endorsed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, draw attention to his role in Trump’s grand strategy. Formerly a ‘never Trump’ figure, Vance now represents a millennial face of Trumpism, combining economic populism, nationalism, and conservative social policies.
The second day of the convention, focusing on immigration and crime (‘Make America Safe Again’), features notable figures like former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who was initially excluded from the event but later invited to speak after the attack. As Trump prepares for his Michigan rally amid heightened security measures, the political landscape continues to evolve post-incident, setting the stage for a contentious election season.
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