by Fred Lucas
Delegates celebrated Thursday night as they waited for Donald Trump to accept his party’s nomination for a third time at the Republican National Convention — just five days after he was nearly killed by an assassin’s bullet.
But before Trump delivered his highly anticipated closing speech, the crowd at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum heard from figures as diverse as Detroit pastor Lorenzo Sewell, Trump’s lawyer Alina Habba and popular conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.
Among the speakers scheduled for the evening criticizing the record of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were two members of Trump’s Cabinet: former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Linda McMahon, who headed the Small Business Administration.
For some, the most surprising speakers were Hulk Hogan, former world heavyweight wrestling champion, and Dana White, head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, who introduced Trump.
And an appearance in the presidential box by former first lady Melania Trump.
Rock and rap veteran Kid Rock, who came out years ago for his conservative views, helped close the fourth and final night of the Republican National Convention with another shocking performance.
Here are seven highlights from the official program, which ended with Trump and his vice presidential nominee, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, celebrating onstage with their wives and families.
Trump pays tribute to murdered firefighter
During his closing speech of the event accepting the Republican Party nomination for president, Trump spoke briefly about the assassination attempt on his life Saturday night.
“I shouldn’t be here today,” Trump said.
The crowd responded by chanting, “Yes, you are.”
“I am standing in this arena only by the grace of God,” he said.
Trump paid tribute to Pennsylvania firefighter Corey Comperatore, 50, who was shot and killed at a rally, showing off the former fire chief’s uniform and helmet, which he kissed.
“Tragically, the shooter took the life of one of our own, Corey Comperatore — an incredible person, everyone tells me — and seriously wounded two other great warriors,” Trump said.
The crowd chanted, “Corey, Corey.”
Trump said he spoke with Comperatore’s widow earlier in the day and announced that Florida attorney Dan Newlin had made a $1 million gift to the family.
“I ask that you hold a moment of silence in memory of our friend Corey,” said the 45th president.
Carlson: Trump is saving American democracy
Democrats and many in the media have repeatedly argued that Trump poses an existential threat to democracy, political commentator says Tucker Carlson said conventional hall.
Yet, as Carlson noted, politicians in Washington have refused to obey the will of the people for generations.
“Democracy, in case you’re tired of hearing the word ‘democracy’ thrown in your face on TV, real democracy is the idea that the people of the country own the country,” Carlson said, referring to the Democratic narrative that Trump is a threat to democracy.
“They are not tenants, slaves, serfs,” he said of Americans. “They are owners.”
Carlson recounted the moment after Trump was shot when he stood up and raised his hand to encourage and inspire his supporters.
“The impact that this had on Donald Trump — he was no longer a candidate of a political party, or a former president, or a future president. He was a leader of the nation,” Carlson said.
Eric Trump Criticizes Biden Over Fentanyl and Border Crisis
Eric Trump, Trump’s middle son and current head of his business empire, told Americans that the Biden administration is not responding to the plight of Americans, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
“Energy prices are skyrocketing. Interest rates are paralyzing. Everything is unattainable” Eric Trump said“The U.S. dollar has been weakened. Inflation has made it impossible for Americans to live, to save for the future.”
He accused the Biden administration of inaction on securing the southern border and other such instances.
“Fentanyl is killing our youth and destroying our families while this administration stands by, hoping their inaction will bring in illegal votes,” the younger Trump said. “Crime is terrorizing our cities and our suburbs while far-left politics are embarrassing police. Male athletes, guys my height, 6-foot-5, are swimming in women’s sports, destroying the dreams of young girls who have trained every minute of their lives.”
He added that the situation could change if his father was re-elected president.
“He stood tall, driven not by personal ambition but by a deep love for this country and a love for all of you — the American people,” the former president’s son said. “This man is the 45th president and soon to be the 47th president of the United States.”
Franklin Graham: God Spared Trump’s Life
Pastor Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, he told those gathered at the convention that Trump had a near-death experience on Saturday night.
“God spared his life,” Graham said. “When we go through these experiences, it changes us. It can cause us to look at our lives and reassess our priorities, as they should.”
“When President Trump stood up from that podium,” Graham said, “he stood up with his fist raised, showing the American people his unwavering determination to fight for them and for this nation.”
“I can’t explain why God would take one life and allow another to be taken,” the preacher said. “One thing I know for sure: God loves us and wants us to be with Him in heaven one day.”
Hulk Hogan Supports “Trump Maniacs”
Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan he said in the conference room that he recalled Donald Trump sitting in the front row during one of his World Cup victories.
In his typically enthusiastic style, Hogan called Trump his hero.
“When they shot my hero and tried to kill the next president of the United States, that was enough,” Hogan said, ripping off his T-shirt in signature style to reveal a red T-shirt with Trump and Vance printed on it.
“And I said, let’s let the Trumpman run wild. Let’s let the Trumpman govern again. Let’s let the Trumpman make America great again.”
Hogan admitted that as an entertainer he tried to stay away from politics, but added that he could no longer remain still.
“We had a strong economy, a secure border and peace abroad, and we lost it in the blink of an eye,” he told GOP delegates and audiences across the country.
Hogan again used one of his signature catchphrases, asking a question of criminals and drug dealers.
“What are you going to do when Donald Trump and all the Trump-maniacs come at you, brother?” he asked.
Pompeo compares Trump, Biden’s foreign policy record
Mike Pompeo, also a former Kansas congressman, said it was his “greatest honor” to serve as secretary of state and director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Trump administration.
“There were no new American wars. Our southern border, closed. It may seem like a long time ago, when we took office, people were being beheaded on the beaches. We destroyed [the terrorist group] “ISIS and its caliphate” Pompeo told the crowd.
He referred to two current wars under the Biden administration: one resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the other resulting from Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel.
“During these four years, evil [Russian President] Vladimir Putin was kept at arm’s length,” Pompeo said. “When we left in January 2021, the Iranian regime was fearful and the Israeli people were strong and secure, and we treated them as friends and allies that they needed.”
He added that China never flew a spy balloon over America during the Trump presidency, which happened under the Biden administration.
“If I were secretary of state and a Chinese spy balloon flew over our country, I would be the former secretary of state, and rightly so,” Pompeo said to cheers.
God’s Hand on Trump, Detroit Pastor’s Sermon
Detroit pastor Lorenzo Sewell, a supporter of the former president, egged on the crowd by recalling Trump’s visit to his church last month, which sparked controversy among some.
“Can you imagine Donald Trump coming to our city and calling out a pastor like me, a pastor who grew up on the East Side of Detroit?” Sewell asked from the stage. “I had murderous mentors. I was a street student. But I had a radical experience with Jesus Christ that changed my life forever.”
Sewell continued:
President Trump came to church, which is a Democratic stronghold. He came to church to listen to average, everyday Americans like you and me. He came to church not to talk to us, but to listen to us.
He came to church and a lot of people were upset. A lot of people asked me questions. Why did you let Donald Trump come to your church?
How many know that the Bible says that we are all sinners and we all need God’s grace? How many know that the Bible says that let he who has not sinned cast the first stone?
Amid cheering delegates, Sewell also suggested that on Saturday night in Butler, Pennsylvania, Jesus Christ spared Trump’s life for a reason.
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Fred Lucas is the chief news correspondent and head of the Investigative Reporting Project at The Daily Signal. He is the author of “The Voter Suppression Myth: The Left’s Attack on Clean Elections.” Ken McIntyre contributed to this report, which was updated throughout the night.
The painting “Trump at the RNC Convention” by RNC.
