Donald Trump has claimed he survived last weekend’s assassination attempt because he “had God on his side”.
The former US President took to the stage at the Republican National Convention Centre last night, vowing to beat Joe Biden in November’s election and ‘Make America Great Once Again’.
Addressing the assassination attempt, Mr Trump said he was lucky to be alive.
"There was blood pouring everywhere, and yet, in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side,” he said.
"The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had not moved my head at the very last instant, the assassin's bullet would have perfectly hit its mark, and I would not be here tonight."
PRESIDENT TRUMP: But if the events of last Saturday make anything clear, it is that every single moment we have on earth is a gift from God. We have to make the most of every day for the people and country we love. pic.twitter.com/TdMFrFKStT
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 19, 2024
Returning to politics, Mr Trump pledged to finish the construction of a wall along the entire length of the US-Mexico border, which he falsely claimed "most of which I have already built".
He attacked Joe Biden for “destroying” the United States and warned his foreign policy risked dragging America into a Third World War.
In reference to Gaza and Ukraine, Mr Trump claimed, "I could stop wars with a telephone call.”
He also once again incorrectly accused Democrats of winning the 2020 Presidential Election through fraud.
🇺🇸 'If they want to call him a felon they can, but he's my felon.'@JoshCrosbie3 brings us all the colour from Day three of the Republican National Convention, ahead of Donald Trump's speech tonight. pic.twitter.com/kyjgTEqS7g
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) July 18, 2024
Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie is in Milwaukee and said the crowd had been "lively" the entire four days he had been there but the arrival of Mr Trump sent the energy soaring to “another level”.
Among those in the audience was Angela Banks from Pennsylvania, who said her entire trip to Milwaukee had been “amazing”.
“Today’s speech was really, really something,” she said.
“It was amazing to see President Trump and finally hear from him live.
“He was subdued but that’s to be expected but his message of unity was really important and all of his promises that he vowed to make on day one [of his second term], I can’t wait.
“We’re going to Make America Great Again.”
In the audience at the convention, many people were spotted wearing bandages on their ears - in solidarity with Mr Trump who is still recovering from his injury.
For Ms Banks, the moment he addressed the shooting was an extremely emotional moment.
“It was just really touching when he was recounting the story and he said he was going to tell the story one time and that’s it,” she said.
“You could see him hold back tears, he is such a strong man, he is the best man to lead America and the Free World.”
💬"We don't have Irish walking across the border"
Newstalk's @JoshCrosbie3 asks the former speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, about what a Trump election would mean for undocumented migrants living in the US 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Q7eMnprt6Q
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) July 17, 2024
Another Republican described Mr Trump’s speech as “perfect”.
“It hit the mark - right on the money,” she said.
“The most important issue to me, this election cycle, is going to be the border and he hit home a lot on that and said he is going to close it on day one.”
She also said she was impressed with the way he tried to reach out to all Americans - regardless of whether they voted for him.
“I’m very confident, I think he did a tremendous job and I also think he really reached out to all the people of the United States, instead of half,” she said.
“I think he really tried.”
A poll released this week by CBS News found Mr Trump leading Mr Biden by 52% to 47% nationwide.
Another poll by SoCal Research found Mr Trump had an even larger lead, putting him ahead of Mr Biden by 51% to 45%.
Main image: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Picture by Tannen Maury/UPI Credit.
