Trump 2.0 is still unmistakably Donald J. Trump. God knows what comes next. | Opinion
Former President Donald Trump promised his speech on the final night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee would be different.
For the first 20 minutes, it was. But as the speech wore on (and on), it was evident that Trump 2.0 is still unmistakably Donald J. Trump. This makes the next few weeks of the campaign especially critical. What happens is really anyone's guess because while Trump is expected to maintain his characteristic approach, the Democratic Party is facing turmoil.
Prominent party figures have publicly indicated their efforts to persuade President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race could come to fruition as early as this weekend. But who really knows?
It's clear that Biden is not the same person he was four years ago. He had a terrible debate and he's moving a lot slower than he did during his first presidential run. To make matters worse, he's sitting at home, self-isolating with COVID-19 as the chatter for him to step down intensifies.
Your takes: Trump's acceptance speech at the RNC in Milwaukee
Trump has his flaws, but the Republicans are unified, something the Democrats need to do and do quickly. If Biden is not the choice, then move on.
If he is, then they need to support him. These are the only two choices with just four months to go before one of the biggest presidential elections of my lifetime.
The parts that Trump got right during speech were compelling
Trump's address Thursday night got off to a promising start. He spoke about unity and stated that if he became president again, he would be president for all Americans, not just half of them. He expressed gratitude to the American people for their support following an assassination attempt on his life just five days prior that left one attendee dead and two others critically injured.
With a bandage over his right ear, the Republican nominee described how close the bullets came to striking his head. As thousands sat quiet, he shared what was going through his mind as the bullets whizzed past his head. He said the convention stage would be the only time he would describe what happened because it was too painful.
“I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” Trump said.
Trump, 79, said that when he reached up to his head, there was blood all over the place, and he knew he was under attack.
Trump thanked the Secret Service for their quick work in protecting him and saving others. He also thanked the attendees at his rally for remaining composed. Additionally, he observed a moment of silence in tribute to Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who tragically lost his life while shielding his family from sniper bullets.
He also told the Milwaukee crowd why he clinched his fist as he was rushed off the stage. He wanted to assure everyone that he was fine and that he wanted them to “Fight, fight, fight.”
Trump initially showed civility and compassion, but over the next hour, his speech gradually reverted to his familiar persona, with embellished accomplishments and many lies.
There was hope for civility, but it faded 20 minutes later
He then spoke bout how the government was targeting him for no reason. How Biden's policies were damaging the country like no president before him, and how people were crossing the border from mental institutions.
If you were hoping for a more compassionate and civil Trump, that hope lasted only about 20 minutes. After listening to Trump’s 92-minute speech, although his tone was subdued, most of it sounded like the same old Trump, catering to his base — and that’s who Trump is.
Before Trump came out, some analysts said they would have been surprised if Trump even mentioned Biden by name. That changed after he described Biden as “the worst president in history.”
It was a busy night for fact checkers. Here are just a few caught by the Journal Sentinel, USA Today and PBS:
Trump claims Democrats cheated on elections: His claim of widespread voter fraud by Democrats since his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden has been proven false and has been repeatedly made.
Trump said, “Our crime rate is going up.” The reality: FBI data shows the overall violent crime rate — which includes homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault per 100,000 population — fell by 1.6% from 2021 to 2022, the most recent year with full-year FBI data.
Trump said of immigrants that “they’re coming from prisons, they’re coming from jails, they're coming from mental institutions and insane asylums.” Immigration experts said there is no evidence to support this.
Trump said inflation under Biden was the worst in U.S. history. Inflation under President Biden has been higher than under former President Trump, but it is not the highest in the lifetimes of many Americans – much less ever.
Trump has been repeating his lies to make people believe them, and many do, but shouldn't we expect more honesty from a more “civil” Trump?
Trump didn’t mention Project 2025 and offered few specifics
During his address, Trump offered limited details regarding his plans to "fix" America, focusing primarily on border security and increased drilling. Notably absent from his speech was any mention of Project 2025, a comprehensive conservative agenda outlining the first 180 days of the Republican party's strategy. This omission has generated significant media interest.
The document is alarming and could seriously harm minorities, women of childbearing age, immigrants, public education, unions, and anyone who opposes Trump if he were to become President.
Is Milwaukee horrible? You don't have to like Trump to see view supported by sad facts
The next four months will be pivotal, not just for the next four years but for the foreseeable future.
Trump needs to deliver on his speech's promise and convince people that he can be president for all Americans, not just half. Meanwhile, Biden must demonstrate to his supporters that he has the stamina and cognitive ability to defeat Trump once again. Both candidates face challenges.
This election will set the trajectory of the United States for generations to come. What direction will it take? We will have our answer soon. It is now imperative for the Democrats to strategize effectively. Time is of the essence, and the stakes are high.
Reach James E. Causey at [email protected]; follow him on X @jecausey.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump reverted to old ways in RNC acceptance speech in Milwaukee
