Former President Donald Trump has announced a significant change to his upcoming speech at the Republican National Convention, opting to focus on uniting the country following an assassination attempt. Trump, 78, revealed that he discarded an initially prepared “extremely tough speech” in favor of a more conciliatory approach after the shooting incident at his Pennsylvania rally on Saturday.
Speaking aboard his private jet en route to Milwaukee, where the convention is being held, Trump expressed his desire to bring the nation together. However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the deep divisions among the American people. “I want to try to unite our country,” he stated. “But I don’t know if that’s possible. People are very divided.”
The former president had initially planned to deliver a scathing speech targeting the Biden administration, describing it as corrupt and horrible. However, he decided to discard those remarks in light of recent events. Trump was himself targeted in the assassination attempt, sustaining a gunshot wound to the ear. Tragically, one rallygoer lost their life, while two others were injured in the gunfire.
Trump highlighted that contentious policy issues such as immigration and transgender rights could hinder efforts to bridge the divide. “Some people want open borders, some don’t,” he noted. “Some want men to be able to play on women’s sports teams, and others don’t.” Trump emphasized that success would ultimately serve as the unifying force.
In a similar vein, President Joe Biden, 81, has also emphasized the importance of unity. Speaking from the Oval Office on Sunday night, Biden stated, “We are not enemies. We are neighbors, we are friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we are fellow Americans. We must stand together.”
