A story of two presidents, with Trump declaring victory and Biden's aspirations starting to wane
Donald Trump was surrounded by thousands of adoring followers on Thursday night, who praised him as a god-touched superman and yelled "fight, fight, fight" and pumped their fists.
States away, Joe Biden sat alone and ill at his Delaware beach house while the party he helped win four years ago turned against the 81-year-old president and the likelihood that a disgraceful conclusion to a remarkable political career may be unfolding increased.
Biden's promise to begin a war for the nation's soul following White nationalists' march through Charlottesville, Virginia, seven years ago, set up a fierce political spat between Trump and Biden.
On Thursday, their paths parted dramatically. Though Democrats fractured, some thinking their president may lead them to a landslide defeat after a disastrous debate performance three weeks ago threw his reelection campaign into freefall, Trump accepted the nomination of a unified party sure it is cruising to victory in November.
After barely escaping an assassination attempt, Trump gave a speech on the last night of the Republican National Convention. This was the second shocking development in three weeks in an abruptly changed election campaign.
"We are aware that my journey with you almost ended a few short days ago," Trump remarked. "And yet, here we are tonight, gathered together, discussing the promise of the future and a complete revitalization of something we adore greatly—America," he uttered.
“We inhabit a world filled with marvels.”
The former president showed uncommon introspection and sensitivity as he somberly related the account of the horrifying moment he was attacked in a Pennsylvania park on Saturday. Trump said, "I'm not supposed to be here tonight," to an enthusiastic "yes you are, yes you are!" chorus from the audience.
Tears were welling up in the eyes of spectators high in the Milwaukee Bucks stadium as Trump related how he felt something strike him "really, really hard on (his) right ear" and something "loud zipping sound" was heard. The reason he could still survive, he said, was that he had "God on (his) side."
The advisors to Trump overpromised
Republicans have been carving out a story all this week about an iron man of destiny who would pick up a wounded America from the rubble, just as he rose bleeding from his close encounter with death and raised a fist in defiance.
“However, Trump's advisors assured him that their candidate had also evolved following a gunshot that left him with a right ear injury and that he would respond to his newfound vigor by advocating for unity and national healing. And Trump did aim for a vision of national regeneration early in his speech. "We need to mend the separation and strife that exist in our society. Our common destiny and shared fate bind us together as Americans. Together, we climb. Alternatively, we disintegrate."
However, the new Trump was only in office for a short while until the old one reappeared. Before long, the former president was railing about militarized justice, making up allegations that other countries were smuggling asylum seekers across the US border, and accusing Democrats of rigging elections.
Subsequently, the former president attempted to replicate the ominous ambiance of his fiery 2016 convention address; nevertheless, drawing a parallel with the passionate Cleveland night eight years prior highlighted the fact that Trump is eight years older and no longer nearly the formidable orator he once was.
In the end, half of Americans find Trump to be extremely unpopular due to his tired speech full of lies and language that offends moderates.
The former president, who may run for office again, presented a romanticized and sentimental picture of his administration and charged Biden with plunging the nation he left severely divided and economically depressed into a hole. Furthermore, he forewarned that perceived weakness overseas had greatly increased risk. US President Donald Trump warned, "We are heading toward a third World War, and it will be unlike any other."
Displacing political discourse
The divisiveness of Trump's warm-up performances undermined the theme of the night, which was devoted to unification. They hinted at the hardline authoritarian undertone of the "Make America Great Again" campaign, which may be indicative of a former president's second term who believes he is entitled to unrestrained authority. Wrestler Hulk Hogan portrayed Trump as an emerging tyrant from the third world with unchecked authority.
"All of you lowlifes, criminals, and scumbags—what are you going to do when Donald Trump and the other Trump fanatics turn on you, brother?" Hogan gave a loud cry.
Trump's stern speech could be helpful in an election that might be won by energizing the Republican base, especially with JD Vance, a recent MAGA favorite, running for vice president. However, it was difficult to understand how it would win over swing votes, and at one hour and thirty-two minutes, it was extremely long, far past primetime. Furthermore, Trump provided little fresh information on what he would really do in a second term, leaving many Americans wondering how they would pay for health care, a house, or to send their children to college.
In comparison to many of his campaign rallies, Trump's low-key performance in the large stadium was significantly less engaging, and it constituted the most unruly, off-script moments of the whole convention. In fairness, he recently made it out of an attempted murder. However, Trump occasionally displayed all of his 78 years in an election that is increasingly focusing on Biden's age. His rambling comments may also encourage Democrats who think a more aggressive opponent may thwart the former president's hopes of becoming just the second defeated one-term president to win reelection.
Furthermore, when paired with Biden's problems, it could have best demonstrated one of the election's defining features: Americans' profound dissatisfaction with both candidates.
Biden's campaign escalates the situation
The address came after a day of remarkable developments in Joe Biden's struggling reelection campaign. Since his wobbly debate performance, which confirmed the fears of millions of people that he is not completely capable of serving a second term that would expire when he is 86, the campaign has collapsed.
Biden's political problems have been made worse by the fact that he had to retire to his beach property in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, this week due to a case of Covid-19. This has happened at a time when many senior White property and campaign staff have arrived to the conclusion that the president needs to drop his bid for a second term.
A Democratic governor in close communication with party officials told aides on Thursday, "The next 72 hours are big." "There isn't much more of this."
According to a senior Democrat, "people see and feel the walls closing in," CNN also noted.
Since the June 27 CNN debate in Atlanta, according to a prominent Democrat close to the White House, Biden has been "exceptionally insulated and isolated."
Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, who has the most difficult reelection to face of any incumbent, is the latest prominent Democrat to call on Biden to go, which is a significant indication of the party's down-ballot fears.
"I have collaborated with President Biden on projects that have strengthened Montana, and I have never shied away from correcting him when he is in error. And while though I respect his dedication to serving the public good and our nation, I think President Biden shouldn't run for office again.
According to his remarks during Thursday's keynote speech at the convention, Joe Biden remains the greatest Democratic prospect to unseat President Trump.
However, a growing number of indications indicate that the task may be assigned to an other, as-yet-unidentified Democrat.
