Bandaged Donald Trump looks emotional as he greets RNC crowd flanked by family in 1st public appearance since shooting
DONALD Trump was met with a rapture of applause as he strode into the Republican National Committee Convention on Monday night, just days after surviving an assassination attempt.
The former president, who was flanked by security and wearing a bandage on his right ear, appeared emotional as he made his way through the crowd, marking his first public appearance since the terrifying attack.
Trump took a bullet to his ear on Saturday night when a lone would-be assassin fired eight shots at him from an AR-15-style rifle as he addressed to supporters in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Just two days later, he was met with a standing ovation as he entered the Fiserv Forum for day one of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Lee Greenwood gave a live performance of his signature song, God Bless the USA, as Trump walked in waving to chants of "fight, fight, fight" from the crowd.
The former president, who was formally named the Republican presidential nominee just hours earlier, made his way to his seat, where he was greeted by his emotional sons, Don Jr. and Eric, and daughter Tiffany.
He was also met by his new vice presidential pick Ohio Senator JD Vance, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
The announcement of Vance as Trump's VP pick was announced the same day by the former president on Truth Social.
"They wanted tonight to be his funeral,'" Angie Wong, a delegate from Florida told the crowd as the song began to fade away.
"Instead, they got the Super Bowl of politics with a nomination and a VP pick."
Trump did not speak on Monday night, appearing instead for the final hour of speeches.
He is, however, set to take the podium as planned on Thursday despite the threat to his life just days earlier.
Eric Trump announced to the delegates that his vote officially made his dad Donald the Republican Party's presidential nominee.
He was joined by his wife, Lara Trump, and brother, Donald Jr., as he announced that 125 delegates from Florida nominated "the greatest president that's ever lived."
"[We] hereby declare him the Republican nominee for President of the United States of America," he said.
Besides the shooter, one rally-goer identified as former volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore was pronounced dead after using his body to shield his wife and daughter from a stray bullet aimed at the former president.
"I had all prepared an extremely tough speech, really good, all about the corrupt, horrible administration,” he told The Post about his speech.
“But I threw it away," Trump said.
"This is a chance to bring the whole country, even the whole world, together," Trump told the outlet, adding he isn't sure if that is possible due to how divided the country is.
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"The speech will be a lot different, a lot different than it would've been two days ago."
"It is a chance to bring the country together. I was given that chance."
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
6:03pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:11pm: Gunshots were fired as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.