Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus spoke at the event, applauding traditional Republican values and calling for party unity, saying “let’s stand united as Republicans, let’s get to work to expand our Republican majorities”.
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Donald Trump declared he would save America from “death, destruction, terrorism and weakness” in a marathon speech he hopes will propel him into the White House.
He instead urged Republicans to “vote your conscience”, a refrain used by the anti-Trump faction of the party. Underscoring his unorthodox candidacy, Trump doubled down on the hard-line immigration policies that fired up conservatives in the primary but broke with many in his party by promising protections for gays and lesbians.
“The irresponsible rhetoric of our President, who has used the pulpit of the presidency to divide us by race and colour, has made America a more risky environment for everyone”, he said.
As the crowd chanted: “Lock her up” for her handling of USA foreign policy, Trump waved them off and said: “Let’s defeat her in November”.
“He offered no real solutions to help working families get ahead or to keep our country safe, just more prejudice and paranoia”, he said.
The more than hour-long speech was strikingly dark for a celebratory event and nearly entirely lacking in specific policy details. Trump shouted throughout as he read off a teleprompter, showing few flashes of humor or even a smile. “I just don’t like the direction the country is heading in”, said Davida Stike, an alternate delegate from Texas. However, for those who have desperately been looking for Donald Trump to “moderate” his tone for a general election, this might be their best example.
Trump wants to build a wall along the USA border with Mexico, ban Muslims from war-torn Middle Eastern countries and renegotiate global trade agreements. He also says he would force USA allies in Europe and Asia to pay more for the US defence umbrella.
Trump made his entrance in patriotic music and a crowd chanting “Trump, Trump”, after his eldest daughter, Ivanka, introduced him. But when it was discovered her remarks repeated lines from a 2008 speech by Michelle Obama, the wife of Democratic President Barack Obama, the uproar lasted for three days.
“If he gives it, I will not accept it!” They also cited Republican infighting over Trump, including the refusal of many high-profile Republicans to endorse the party’s new standard-bearer.
Earlier this week, former rival Ted Cruz was booed after he refused to endorse Mr Trump for the presidency.
Clinton alleged that Trump does not speak for U.S. military, which he has insulted consistently and in particular prisoners of war who sacrifice much of their life because they serve us. After fifteen years of wars in the Middle East, after trillions of dollars spent and thousands of lives lost, the situation is worse than it has ever been before.
“T$3 here was a picture on the front page of the National Enquirer, which does have credibility”, Trump said, falsely contending the magazine is careful not to run false reports because they could be sued.
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He had promised to describe “major, major” tax cuts. But his economic proposals were vague, with unspecified plans to create millions of jobs.
