Donald Trump, in his first public speech after narrowly escaping an assassination attempt, described in a subdued and somber voice how he was grazed by a bullet, ducked for cover, and found his hand covered in blood before raising his fist in the air.
He said this was an attempt to reassure supporters at a Pennsylvania rally that he was okay.
A prominent image behind him on stage and around the hall showed him with his hand raised, blood on his face, and an American flag behind him.
He told the crowd at the Republican National Convention, “I stand before you only by the grace of Almighty God,” calling for national unity – a new persona for one of the most polarizing politicians in modern American history, who has fervent supporters and equally fervent opponents.
This compelling story, which moved some convention-goers to tears, was loaded into the teleprompter script on stage. But then Trump began his characteristic impromptu banter and reverted to more familiar rhetoric of grievances.
The words on the teleprompter paused, waiting. He blamed the current administration, led by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, for “weaponizing the justice system” and accused them of endangering democracy.
He said, “I am the one saving democracy for the people of our country.” He boasted that a judge in Florida, whom he had appointed, had dismissed the “phony documents case” against him, a decision that is being appealed.