Trump’s Rivals Speak Out – What Their Support Means for the Future of the GOP

Image Credit: The New York Times

The Republican National Convention witnessed a remarkable display of party unity as former President Donald Trump welcomed his one-time rivals, who delivered speeches in support of his candidacy. This orchestrated event aimed to project a unified front as the GOP prepares for the upcoming elections.

Nikki Haley, who took over two months to endorse Trump after ending her White House bid, addressed those with doubts about Trump. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a former Trump ally-turned-challenger, directed a fierce critique at President Joe Biden. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who famously urged convention attendees to “vote your conscience” in 2016, also showed his support, thanking “God Almighty” for protecting Trump during an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.

In 2016, Cruz faced boos for his speech at the convention, but this time he received enthusiastic cheers. DeSantis, too, was met with thunderous applause. Haley, despite initially receiving a few jeers, quickly won over the crowd. “I’ll start by making one thing perfectly clear,” Haley, Trump’s former United Nations ambassador and the ex-governor of South Carolina, declared. “Donald Trump has my strong endorsement, period.”

Trump, who altered his schedule to witness the procession of his former opponents, observed the event from his private box alongside his new running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who was considered for the No. 2 spot on the ticket this year, delivered the keynote address. Rubio praised Corey Comperatore, the former fire chief killed at Trump’s rally, as a hero who protected his family during the incident. His speech was among several that referenced the assassination attempt, even as convention planners did little to alter the overall themes of the week.

“These are the Americans who wear the red hats and wait for hours under a blazing sun to hear Trump speak,” Rubio said, linking Comperatore and his family to Trump’s loyal supporters. “What they want is good jobs and lower prices. They want secure borders. They want leaders who prioritize our problems at home over those in distant countries.”

DeSantis and Ben Carson, Trump’s former housing secretary, portrayed the assassination attempt as the latest in a series of escalating attacks on Trump. “Donald Trump has been demonized,” DeSantis stated. “He’s been sued, he’s been prosecuted, and he nearly lost his life. We cannot let him down, and we cannot let America down.”

Representative Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania anticipated positive receptions for both Haley and DeSantis. “DeSantis overstepped in running for president, but he’s a great governor,” Meuser said. “Nikki Haley is incredibly effective, and we need her on board.”

The convention’s effort to showcase a harmonious GOP comes as President Biden faces criticism within his party for a lackluster debate performance. Despite the attempt to moderate the rhetoric, speakers did not shy away from strong language. On a night-themed “Make America Safe Once Again,” several speakers, as well as a video, blamed Biden for the deaths of Americans allegedly killed by undocumented immigrants and accused him, without evidence, of supporting voting by noncitizens. The audience responded with chants like “Build the wall” and “Send them back.”

“Democrats decided they wanted votes from illegals more than they wanted safety for our children,” Cruz asserted during his address. Delegates also watched a video where Trump warned about Democratic “cheating” in the upcoming election.

Meuser, who attended Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, noted that there was an understanding among convention speakers to adopt a milder tone. “It starts with Trump,” Meuser explained. “Hopefully JD picks that up. Trump said he didn’t want people to change their speeches, but I think they will.”

Vance arrived at the convention hall midway through the evening, receiving cheers as he made his way to his seat. Trump entered shortly after, greeted by the Village People’s “YMCA,” a staple at his campaign rallies. Both men were welcomed with raucous applause. Trump appeared with a large bandage over his injured right ear, a symbol of his resilience after the recent attack.

The convention also highlighted efforts to broaden the Republican tent. Alongside Haley’s outreach to Trump skeptics, several former Democrats expressed their support for Trump, including Representative Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.

Madeline Brame, featured in the convention’s “Everyday Americans” series, criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for not pursuing murder charges against two individuals involved in her son’s killing. Her call for people of color to abandon the Democratic Party received one of the night’s most enthusiastic responses. “The Democratic Party that poor minorities have been loyal to for decades has betrayed us,” Brame declared. “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, who claim to represent us, have abandoned us. My eyes have been opened.”

Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, another past Trump rival, tailored his speech to younger voters. “Our message to Gen Z is this: You’re going to be the generation that saves this country,” Ramaswamy, 38, said. “You want to be a rebel, a hippie? Try calling yourself a conservative on your college campus.”

The evening also featured GOP Senate candidates, each given a few minutes to introduce themselves and criticize Democratic opponents. West Virginia Governor Jim Justice delighted the crowd by bringing his English bulldog, Babydog, on stage. Dave McCormick, the party’s Senate hopeful in Pennsylvania, addressed the assassination attempt he witnessed at close range.

“I want to first acknowledge what transpired just a few days ago in my home state,” McCormick said. “In a terrifying moment, the president rose brilliantly to the challenge. We all thank God that President Trump is OK.”

Other speakers aimed at Biden, Harris, and the media. “I’ve never seen anything like the Biden-Harris open border policy,” said former Representative Mike Rogers, who is running for an open Senate seat in Michigan. “They are rolling out the red carpet for violent gangs, fentanyl, and individuals on the terrorist watch list.”

Tim Sheehy, the Republican challenger to Democratic Senator Jon Tester in Montana, addressed the culture wars in his speech. As the GOP convention progresses, the message of unity and support for Trump continues to resonate, setting the stage for the party’s strategy in the upcoming elections.

This story was originally featured on NBC News