Former Trump opponents turn allies on RNC stage

MILWAUKEE—In a 2024 campaign reunion, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gave speeches at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night to support former President Donald Trump. Trump arrived shortly before Haley’s speech. Originally not invited, Haley said the former president called her after he was shot in the ear at a rally on Saturday and asked her to come “in the name of unity.”

“Take it from me, I haven’t always agreed with President Trump. But we agree more often than we disagree.” Haley told delegates. “I’m here tonight because we have a country to save. And a unified Republican Party is essential for saving it.”

Speakers highlighted unity despite small differences and contrasted it with rumors that the Democratic Party is considering replacing President Joe Biden on the ticket. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized President Joe Biden’s age and debate performance, arguing that “We can’t have a Weekend at Bernie’s presidency,” which made Trump laugh from the stands.

What else marked the second night? The theme for the second day was national security, so most speakers focused on border control, the fentanyl crisis, and support for law enforcement. Attendees pumped their fists and chanted “fight, fight, fight” in reference to Trump’s now-famous gesture as he was rushed injured off the rally stage after being shot at in Butler, Pa. Lara Trump, co-chairwoman of the RNC and Trump’s daughter-in-law, delivered the final speech of the night. She called Saturday one of the most terrifying days and said she quickly turned off the television footage that her young children were watching. 

“Not even a bullet is strong enough to break our American grandeur and our American soul,” Lara Trump said.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s report on possible Secret Service failures at Saturday’s rally.