Trump Triumphant: The Great Unifier

Despite the unfounded criticisms, the president continued his winning streak last night, ending the Republican National Convention on a masterful note.

As the Democrat Party continues to explode, Donald Trump remains “locked in.” The president continued his winning streak last night, ending the Republican National Convention on a masterful note. Trump’s two previous triumphs — his debate performance, followed by his heroic response to being shot in the head — have nearly ended his opponent’s entire campaign. Last night’s speech was a comparably gentle, yet equally devastating blow, serving as the perfect contrast to Joe Biden’s downward spiral.

In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, many of Twitter’s most hysterical users came out of the woodwork, spitting venom at Trump for the great crime of surviving a shooting. One such user, a small time economist by the name of Anthony Annett, insinuated that Donald Trump would use the assassination as a new “Reichstag fire” in order to stoke division, chaos, and ultimately, the end of democracy!

Annett and those like him, of course, were wrong. Last night’s speech only used the assassination attempt as a way to spread a message of Christian virtue and gratitude, that of humility, love — and most of all — unity. It was the right message for the moment.

Trump, ear bandaged, began his speech by promising it was the last time he would discuss his near death experience, claiming it “too painful” to continually re-hash. Along with showing Trump to be very tender and endearing, this promise also shows him to be a man of class: to slightly paraphrase a famous quip (made by his opponent while he could still talk), this pledge prevents Trump’s sentences from morphing into a noun, a verb, and July 13th. The shooting will thus continue to vitalize his political vision without robbing it of oxygen.

Tucker Carlson, during his own speech last night, said that the courage Trump showed after being shot made it apparent to everybody watching, on all sides of the aisle, that Donald Trump “was the leader of a nation.” Trump’s speech, accordingly, completed the lion-like spirit of Trump’s invigorated profile with an air of graciousness becoming of a true statesman, one with the ability to bridge divides and appeal to all sides.

So many of Trump’s lines and moments, both in letter and delivery, brought forward this unifying appeal: “I stand before you in this arena only by the Grace of Almighty God;” kissing Corey Compertore’s helmet; “I extend to you a hand of loyalty and friendship;” “Whether you supported me in the past or not;” [We] cannot demonise political disagreement”; “[this movement is] about love”; and “with great humility, I am asking you to be excited about the future of our country.”

Between these moments, Trump took the time to lay out his policy vision concerning immigration, the economy, foreign policy, and other areas in a measured tone. He also spent a sizable chunk of his speech bantering and laughing with the crowd in typical Trump-rally fashion. In fact, the only ones who are claiming his speech was “too long” and that it did not meet the moment have it completely backwards. The speech was appealing and comprehensive. It was exactly what weary Americans needed to hear.

A fiery speech at RNC 2024 may have been ill-fit given recent events. Trump himself told us that the pre-assignation attempt speech would have been just that: a blowtorch against Biden’s policies and a strong statement of “onward.” However, post-shooting, the best play was to lean into his champion-status, savoring the security of his position and enjoying the adoring convention crowd. Trump’s speech met the moment perfectly. Stirring speeches, delivered when victory laps are in order, call the reality of said victory into question. Why try and stir the waters when you’re already riding a wave?

Perhaps a new democratic candidate (a reality that seems increasingly likely) will come along and attempt to challenge Trump’s current and cinematic levels of dominance. The election is still some months away, after all, and a lot can change. However, as long as Trump has kept on Trump-ing, things have kept on working. As long as he continues to remain “locked in,” victory is squarely within sight.

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