It was an unnatural spectacle, akin to witnessing a dog walk on its hind legs: a convention hall teeming with spirited Republicans suddenly advocating for harmony with Democrats. The unexpected change in tone was directly influenced by a directive from the top. Following an assassination attempt, Donald J. Trump disclosed that he had revised the speech intended for delivery in Milwaukee on Thursday, hinting at a softer approach. On Truth Social, he emphatically declared, “UNITE AMERICA!”
When Lara Trump took the stage on Tuesday night, she confided, “I actually had a very different speech that I was prepared to give up here tonight. That all changed at 6:11 on Saturday evening.” Even Eric Trump, in an interview on CNN, emphasized the need for a more respectful and loving approach to politics, stating, “I think politics needs to be done with a lot more respect, and a lot more love.”
The Republican Party hastily endeavored to shift towards a conciliatory stance, though such a posture did not come naturally to them. The backdrop only added to the dissonance. The convention center corridors were adorned with quotes from Mr. Trump (“THEY’RE NOT AFTER ME, THEY’RE AFTER YOU … I’M JUST STANDING IN THE WAY.”) and images of his stern countenance.
Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, shed light on the situation as he entered an elevator bound for the ground floor of the convention hall on Monday afternoon. He remarked, “Of course, a lot of this stuff and signs you see were planned before the weekend. Anyway, I talked to the president this morning, about 7 o’clock, and he was really upbeat, he talked about the bullet grazing the top of his ear.”
