After an uncertain few months of deliberation and planning within the Republican Party, party officials began the highly-anticipated Republican National Convention, just a week after the Democratic Party held theirs in Wisconsin, where they formally nominating Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for the Democratic Ticket. Republicans began their formal week of nomination spread out across the country, delivering remarks from Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington D.C. The convention theme, “Honoring the Great American Story,” Republican officials convene from Monday, August 24 to Thursday, August 27 with a wide slate of notorious speakers including Senators, Congressman, and Conservative Commentators. With dominating issues such as the Covid-19 executive handling, current economic crisis, and widespread division between parties, Republicans aim to address these issues and outline their political agenda.
Day 1
As Republicans formally opened their convention in Charlotte with night 1 theme “Land of the Promise,” delegates from each state gathered for a roll call vote to formally nominate President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for the 2020 Republican Ticket. Attended by both Trump and Pence, the mid-day meeting was held virtually and in-person, complete with an hour-long Trump “rally speech” in which the President discussed matters ranging from Biden’s current state to his response to the pandemic.
The night portion of the convention began with various speakers, including nurses, first responders, and Republican commentators. Turning Point USA founder, Charlie Kirk referred to Trump as “the bodyguard of Western civilization,” arguing that our democracy was on the line in the 2020 Election. Then, viral Republican candidate for Maryland’s 1st District, Kimberley Klacik was introduced by the Republican Party as a rising star, referring to her political ad that sparked 10 Million views across Facebook and Twitter. In the first hour, the most emotional speech of the night came from Trump’s longtime friend and former Heisman Winner, Herschel Walker who personified Trump as a caring man, devoted to family.
Walker stated that he “take[s] personal offense” in critics calling Trump a racist while praising Trump for “how much he cares about social justice and the Black community.” Walker’s speech was followed up by the father of Meadow Pollack, a victim of the Stoneman Douglas Shooting, where he praised Trump’s leadership, communication, and consolation as his family mourned due to the shooting.
Furthermore, the President also made several appearances throughout the night. First, meeting with first responders, nurses, and business owners who applauded him for his COVID-19 response, and later, meeting with hostages freed from various countries by his administration. Many argue that Trump’s high number of appearances will burst the surprise factor of the convention, but as a highly-successful reality TV host, Republicans are confident and satisfied in his engagement throughout the convention.
The Prime-Time slot consisted of former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley speaking of her experiences as governor along with her immigrant past, her mother’s steadfast motivation for her to succeed, and the unity of a grieving South Carolina community after the Tree of Life shooting. Delivering the keynote address of the night, Senator Tim Scott delivered remarks that highlighted his Senate career while attacking Biden for his constant racist gaffes.
Night 2
“America: A Land of Opportunity,” the night two theme called upon American rural workers to deliver remarks on President Trump’s success in essential industries of American life. While Minnesota dairy farmer Chris Peterson spoke on his dairy profit with Trump’s policies, Maine lobsterman Jason Joyce outlined the positive progress of coastal trade and economy. Later, Nicholas Sandmann, a Covington Catholic High School student, spoke on his experiences of wearing a MAGA Hat during the March for Life Protest, denouncing the cancel culture media and “fake news” of the Trump era. With the Jerusalem landscape behind him, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated the Trump administration’s diplomatic accomplishments, citing Trump has “led bold initiatives in nearly every corner of the world.”
The convention then turned to President Trump’s family members to serve as a testament to his character. Tiffany Trump, Trump’s daughter who maintains a relatively low-profile within her father’s politics, encouraged young Americans to “transcend political boundaries” while applauding her father’s prosperous economy. Eric Trump, Trump’s second son, offered an optimistic note to America’s future, motivated by an American spirit that “built the New York skyline and the Hoover Dam.” Both of Trump’s children ended their speech praising their father’s compassionate and loving spirit in their family lives. Wife of President Trump, Melania Trump delivered the night’s keynote speech from the
Rose Garden as her husband watched from the crowd. Media highlight of the night, Melania gave “a breath of fresh air” to the current hostile political comment, giving an eloquent, uplifting speech on her experiences as an immigrant in America, escaping a Communism-run country to “a land that stood for freedom and opportunity.”
Night 3
With anticipating remarks of Vice President formally accepting the Vice Presidential nomination, Night 3 of the Republican National Convention heavily revolved around the theme, “America: Land of Heroes.” Opening with a strong Republican women slate of speeches, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Trump Campaign Manager and Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, and US Senator Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee) commended Trump’s administration while criticizing Joe Biden’s campaign promises. Specifically, Senator Blackburn suggested that “If the Democrats had their way, they would keep you locked in your house,” comparing a Joe Biden Presidency to “Communist China.” US Congressman Dan Crenshaw emphasized the honor and sacrifices of serving in the Armed Forces, stating that America “is a country of heroes,” shifting the night’s tone to honoring soldiers and veterans with interviews on military bases.
Vice President Mike Pence spoke from Fort McHenry, formally accepting his party’s renomination for Vice President and delivering a speech ranging from Trump’s COVID response to attacking Biden for his silence on the ongoing looting in America. With the backdrop of the historic War of 1812 fortress, Pence offered an optimistic tone to another 4 years with the Trump administration. The night completed as President Trump and First Lady, Ivanka joined the VP and Second Lady onstage, surprising party attendees and setting the tone for the “grand finale” night 4 of the convention.
Night 4
As the final night of the Republican National Convention began, viewers noticed a stark contrast between their counterpart, the Democratic National Convention, and their location. Trump chose the South Lawn of the White House to become the backdrop for his speech. Many pointed out the lack of masks, the complete absence of social distancing, and the absence of any health regulations during the event. While Republican speakers such as Former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani and Trump Pardon Recipient Alice Marie Johnson commended the President for his first term, the night started on a low tone of energy, obviously building up to the President’s Grand Finale later that night.
While the cameras panned to the South Lawn, notable attendees included the entire Trump family, VP Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence along with Republican Congressional Incumbents, seated in the crowd of over 1,500 guests. Introduced by his daughter Ivanka, President Trump walked out the doors of the White House, waved to the large crowd, and began a highly-anticipated speech. Hailing his administration’s accomplishments, Trump promised that “the next four years will prove worthy of this magnificent legacy.” Trump turned to his usual “rally-style” rhetoric to spark applause and enthusiasm from the crowd, receiving standing ovations every few minutes. As commentators gambled on the length of the speech, Trump took his time, promising a vaccine to COVID-19 by the end of the year, discussed the recovery efforts in place for Hurricane Laura along with the unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Most notably, however, came in the second half of the speech, Trump’s attacks on Biden. Coining his opponent as “dangerous,” Trump emphasized that in “Sleepy Joe’s America,” “no one will be safe.” Trump reached far into Biden’s legislative record to attack him on his voting record that consisted of “the most catastrophic betrayals and blunders in our lifetime.” Though Trump’s speech was optimistic, critics argued that the high-energy reciprocated from the crowd did not bring Trump to his fullest potential.
Nearly 70 minutes later, Trump’s speech ended just before midnight in Washington D.C. Rather than the typical balloon drop for political conventions, both Republicans and Democrats resorted to firework shows for the nominees to enjoy with their audiences. Beyond the political squabbling and attacks, the colorful firework show over the Washington Monument and National Mall offered Americans a moment to reflect on the nation’s history and appreciate the democratic system that benefits all Americans.
Stay tuned to The Roundup for more news about the 2020 Election!
