MILWAUKEE – After surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump “tore up” a previous speech written for him for the Republican National Convention Thursday – and will instead deliver his own “personal” speech on the final night of the GOP fest.
The former president has “written his own remarks,” a campaign official told reporters Thursday, noting that “this one is going to be really personal.”
Trump, 78, has himself expressed that he swapped his speech after being shot in the ear on Saturday. The bullet nearly missed his skull, nicking his right ear. The former president briefly went to the hospital immediately after, but still flew to the convention less than 48 hours later to kick off the four-day event.
The Post previously reported that Trump’s initial speech was “extremely tough” and went into the “corrupt, horrible administration,” referring to President Biden’s term.
“You’re gonna hear a really personal message from the president. That just reinforces the stark contrast between President Trump and Biden,” another Trump official added.
His new speech will focus more on unity and bringing more people into the Republican Party. The “unity” theme has been an undercurrent at the convention, with speakers including former 2024 rivals Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy, who criticized him bitterly in the primary.
The Republican National Committee has worked to take out or soften more divisive elements of the GOP platform, such as gay marriage and abortion. Convention speakers have not focused on abortion and steered clear of social conservatism. Model and rapper Amber Rose – who only recently endorsed Trump – spoke after he came out on stage, indicating the GOP aims to pick up new demographics.
Here’s the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
- Failed assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks researched Trump and Biden — and even a UK royal before shooting
- Exclusive: Trump gunman Thomas Crooks used bike to scout rally unimpeded
- Trump’s would-be assassin Thomas Crooks wrote chilling online post foreshadowing rally shooting
- Everything we know about Trump’s assassination attempt as authorities work to uncover sniper’s motive
- What we know about Thomas Matthew Crooks, gunman who tried to assassinate Trump at Pa. rally
- Exclusive interview: Grateful, defiant Trump recounts surviving ‘surreal’ assassination attempt at rally: ‘I’m supposed to be dead’
Trump’s former Director of National Intelligence Director Rick Grenell, who is gay, spoke from the convention stage Wednesday, saying the former president does not care if you’re “gay or straight. Black, brown or white, or what gender you are.”
Trump issued a statement speaking about the unity he wants to portray shortly after being shot.
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” he wrote on Truth Social. “I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”