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Key Highlights from the

2024 Republican National Convention

By Robert U. Nulton

Last Updated: July 19, 2024

During the Republican National Convention, former President Donald Trump received and accepted the Republican Nomination for President for the third time. The question on everyone's minds is, "Will Trump hit a home run or strike out?" We will know the answer to this very question come November 5th, 2024. The Republican National Convention painted a picture of unity as a party and a nation and finding ways to beat President Biden in 2024. Many individuals spoke on President Biden's record and how our nation has been over the last 3 and a half years. From high-profile politicians, both past and present, to your everyday working-class citizen, the Republican National Convention did what it could to hit the heartstrings of the everyday voter.

1) Former President Trump chooses his Vice Presidential Running Mate

Former President Donald Trump has chosen his Vice Presidential Running Mate just ahead of the Republican National Convention. United States Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio has been chosen to run alongside former President Trump. Another rising star in the Republican Party. He is in his first term as U.S. Senator and was first elected in 2022 and then sworn into office on January 3rd, 2023. He is a businessman and former Marine before becoming a U.S. Senator. Having risen in the ranks in such a short time shows his ability to have a great impact and influence on his voters and the Republican Party, including former President Donald Trump. Having been born and raised in Ohio, Senator Vance has shown his ability to lead and become a real player in the political landscape of the United States in a very short time.

No matter the result come November, this election will raise him to the top spot in 4 years. He will become the presumptive nominee if President Biden wins or if President Trump wins. Though, becoming Vice President prior would be a greater help for him as it would give him 4 years of experience in the White House working with a President and set him up as a candidate who not only understands the people but knows how to help run a country. This would be the best opportunity for him as long as the next 4 years would show the right kind of growth and opportunity that this country needs to be on track toward reviving the American Dream and ensuring that the country can truly grow in the right direction.

Senator Vance has just a little over 3 months to work with former President Trump to prove to the nation that they have what it takes to "Make America Great Again" as former President Trump states each time that he is in front of the people at a rally or event. Time will tell if Americans can get on board with this idea of a Trump-Vance presidency or if they will want to stick with the ones they know in Biden-Harris.

2) Former President Trump seen in public for the first time since his assassination attempt

On July 15th, 2024, the first night of the Republican National Convention, former President Trump was seen for the first time since the attempt on former President Trump's life just two days before the convention was set to begin. There are still a lot of unanswered questions as Republicans headed into the convention but the convention highlighted the need to have former President Trump back in office. Speakers from all over made it clear to viewers that former President Trump was needed now more than ever. The crowd and energy at the Republican National Convention were impressive to watch and there is no doubt that Republicans were amped up, ready to hit the road and get back on the campaign trail now that former President Trump has a running mate and is the official nominee. It is now up to the Democrats to officially accept President Biden as their nominee. Over the last few days, there have been rumors that President Biden may decide to drop out of the race. This comes just days after having met with high-profile people within the Democratic Party, urging him to drop out and allow someone else to take up the mantle during the 2024 race for the presidency. Only time will tell if President Biden will become the official nominee of the Democratic Party.

3) Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley officially endorses Trump for President

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

One of the most surprising events of the convention came when former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley officially endorsed former President Trump as the Presidential Nominee of the Republican Party. For many, this came as a shock as she was one of his more ardent critics during the primary campaign season. But an endorsement of this size energized Trump supporters as well as the entire convention floor. The call for unity within the Republican Party comes just days after former President Trump was shot at and almost assassinated at a rally held in Pennsylvania. It is widely believed that many Republicans, once on the fence or against Trump, will now come to his side to not only unite the party but to ensure that Republicans take back the Presidency and the Senate as well as keep the House. The Republican Party pulled out all the stops during the convention to tug at the heartstrings of the middle-class American.

Former Ambassador Nikki Haley was seen as an "enemy" to Trump supporters but due to this major endorsement, many supporters may have calmed their anger toward her and assured her re-entry into the political realm in the future. It will be interesting to see if she remains active in politics over the next few years in the hopes of making a triumphant return or if she will fall to the wayside of the political mainstream.

4) West Virginia Governor Jim Justice takes the stage with his famous dog "Babydog"

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice took the stage offering his glowing support of former President Trump as the Republican Presidential Nominee. Governor Justice is a candidate for U.S. Senate in West Virginia in 2024. Due to U.S. Senator Manchin retiring, Governor Justice will face off against Glenn Elliott (D), Mayor of Wheeling, West Virginia. This will be a race to watch on November 5th since a win by Governor Justice would be a win for Senate Republicans and put them closer to controlling the chamber once again. We will be sure to cover this and other races heading into election day.

5) Former First Lady Melania Trump makes appearance on final day of the convention

KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Former First Lady Melania Trump was mostly absent from the Republican National Convention except for the final day of the convention which is when former President Trump gave his official speech to the convention and accepted the nomination of the Republican Party. Convention-goers roared as former First Lady Melania Trump was introduced by her husband as he spoke on stage. She has spent her time out of the public eye as she even seemed to do from time to time when she was First Lady in the White House. It will be interesting to see if she is seen more during the remainder of the campaign or if she will lay low as her husband campaigns to reclaim the presidency in November.

6) Former Pro Wrestler Hulk Hogan takes the stage, energizing crowd of Trump Supporters

Getty Images

Former Pro Wrestler Hulk Hogan took the stage at the Republican National Convention, making it clear that he could no longer "remain silent" and that he needed to come out and speak to the American people about the importance of getting former President Trump back into the White House. After the first few moments of his speech, Hulk Hogan can be seen ripping his shirt off to show a "Trump-Vance 2024" shirt underneath. He made it quite clear that he is out to support former President Trump and will help to get him back into the White House to "Make America Great Again." Ever since the 2020 election, more celebrities have come out in support of one of the two candidates. It will be interesting to see what other celebrities choose sides as we head into the November General Election.

7) Kai Trump, granddaughter of former President Trump and daughter of Donald Trump Jr. speaks to convention attendees

Kai Trump, daughter of Donald Trump Jr., took the stage at the Republican National Convention to show a more human side of the former President. This is a smart move on the part of former President Trump, in which a move such as this has the potential to turn some undecideds to his cause. Showing the "Grandfather" side of Trump can only help his cause as Kai Trump not only did well in showing this human side of former President Trump but she did well in showing her confidence as a Trump. The ability to speak in front of so many people, whether in person or by television, shows a level of maturity and growth in such a young person. Having a young family member of the Trump family speak to the nature of former President Trump was a smart move that may have had an impact during the convention but it will all depend on how Trump continues with his campaign through November that will make the ultimate difference when voters head to the polls this fall.

8) GEN Z Voters...The Rising Generation and future of Politics?

Fox News Images

Speakers such as Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Senator J.D. Vance are proof that the Republican Party is finally realizing that it needs to begin to put a greater focus on the younger generation if they are going to be a bigger part of the political future of the United States. Too many times, the Republican Party has found it hard to connect with younger voters as it has generally been a party of older generations but now the party is beginning to look at the younger generations and realizing that they are the next in line to lead this nation. The Democratic Party, in contrast, has been able to pull many Gen Zers to its side and way of political thinking but with the Republican National Convention now over, it will be important to watch and see if they can continue to capture that generation of voters as they head to the polls in November. When it comes to gaining the upper hand in this election, it is safe to say that the Republicans, including Trump and Vance, are riding a short-lived wave of popularity due to the Republican National Convention. A week or two after, that excitement will wind down and then it will be the Democrats' turn.

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