Donald Trump takes the stage tonight at the Republican National Convention (RNC) to speak for the first time to an audience since the assassination attempt on his life on July 13, 2024.
What will he say? How will he say it? Will he be his usual fired-up self, or will he be a different man? The media tells us he tore up his original speech, which would include harsh words for Joe Biden. The media is now telling us his new theme will be a toned-down and tamer demeanor, where he will emphasize a desperation for unity in the country.
Maybe.
He could probably read from the dictionary tonight and still receive a resounding standing ovation. And rightfully so, we wouldn’t be hearing from him if he had not turned his head ever so slightly at 6:11 p.m. Eastern time on July 13, 2024.
6:11:33 p.m.: First shot fired
As Trump was talking about immigration, the first shot from the would-be assassin was fired.6:11:34 p.m.: Two more shots fired
The second and third shots from the sniper came one second later. All three shots came from Trump’s right.6:11:37 p.m.: More gunshots heard
Three seconds later, several rapid gunshots are heard. At least three more shots were fired, followed by what sounded like an outgoing shot, as the crowd erupted into screams.Video recorded by a member of the audience shows Secret Service snipers appearing to aim in the direction of the gunman. A final shot is heard 15 seconds later. – CBS News
And let me add, I don’t think we’ve taken enough time to fully comprehend the intent that day. Online personalities immediately started with memes, armchair quarterback speculation, and whataboutisms.
We did not slow down for one second to consider the seriousness of this event. Yes, we saw a brave, badass Donald Trump rise to his feet and give us a defiant fist in the air while continuing to tell us to Fight, Fight, Fight!
What it must be like to suddenly be aware that someone hates you so much that they want to KILL YOU! It should take your breath away.
Instead, we got a barrage of self-styled experts from the internet bestowing us with their know-it-all opinions. Granted, this happens with every major event. And yes, one should be skeptical and question everything. But can we first pause to process the intent and actions?
Someone give this man “Man of the Year Award” 😂
I’m still in disbelief how bad Secret Service DROPPED THE BALL, and how close we came to losing President Donald Trump FOREVER!
I know I’m not the only one still thinking about it. We need to get to the bottom of this to ensure… pic.twitter.com/KHuOCRyqNB
— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) July 17, 2024
Maybe that isn’t who we are anymore. The way the news cycles through milliseconds of interwebs these days, we have been trained to move along quickly to the next thing, trying to pile on with whatever popular opinion is published.
Catturd™️ posted on July 17 what may or may not be an accurate picture of a ladder up against a building somewhere. So far, it has received millions of views, thousands of likes, and 13,000 retweets. But there are no community notes, so it must be accurate, right?
I am all tongue-in-cheek with that example, but it holds some weird value that I can’t quite put my finger on.
And honestly, I didn’t mean to go off on some tangent here. Donald Trump seems to have moved on and will speak tonight. I will be watching, and I imagine the whole nation, for once, will also be watching. Maybe I should move on from the shock of someone attempting to kill the man, too.
But I hope he doesn’t go too soft on us. We still want to see the tough Trump, or Trump tough, as Don Jr said in his speech last night.
The Future
In my years of paying attention to American politics, I’ve watched my fair share of Republican National Conventions. To be candid, they’ve mostly been boring—except for this year. The ambiance is unmistakable, not just heartfelt and sincere but riveting, amidst real hope for America’s future—and not just a faraway future either, a good and possible future that my kids could see in their lifetime.
And speaking of kids and futures, Don Jr. brought out his oldest, 17-year-old Kai Madison Trump, to address the RNC and share with the American people what her grandpa really is like.
I was nervous about her when Don Jr. announced this, but she did great! She made me smile and laugh out loud. She’s a natural.
For the first time, as Donald Trump’s official Vice President choice, we heard from J.D. Vance. His speech was good and also full of hope. Only a hillbilly from the foothills of the Appalachian mountains can make a cemetery plot on a mountainside in eastern Kentucky seem nostalgic.
And it is worth it, even though I am losing a lot of sleep this week by staying up way past my bedtime to take in all the speeches and vibes. I’ll be watching and listening to Donald Trump’s tonight.
Rock on, America, rock on.
Feature Image: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons/edited in Canva Pro
_2.jpg){kind=link}