--- title: Donald Trump Convention Speech: Top Takeaways description: The top moments from Donald Trump's speech at the Republican convention, from recounting the shooting to making a plea for unity. canonical: https://time.com/7000347/donald-trump-rnc-speech-highlights/ author: Nik Popli article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2024-07-19T03:21:24.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-01-19T08:30:37.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: Takeaways from Donald Trump's Convention Speech og:description: The top moments from Donald Trump's speech at the Republican convention, from recounting the shooting to making a plea for unity. og:url: https://time.com/7000347/donald-trump-rnc-speech-highlights/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0cb40441f96c46f1/698a58f3d0753317d1e71008/GettyImages-2161990462.jpg?branch=production&width=1024&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1024 og:image:height: 576 og:image:alt: US-REPUBLICAN-CONVENTION-PARTIES-ELECTION-POLITICS-VOTE og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Takeaways from Donald Trump's Convention Speech twitter:description: The top moments from Donald Trump's speech at the Republican convention, from recounting the shooting to making a plea for unity. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0cb40441f96c46f1/698a58f3d0753317d1e71008/GettyImages-2161990462.jpg?branch=production&width=1024&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Six Takeaways From Donald Trump’s Convention Speech > Sponsored content. 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It explains the politics, personalities and power dynamics behind the headlines, twice a week. #### Where can I get analysis of Washington politics by email? D.C. Brief is TIME's free Washington politics newsletter, available at time.com/newsletters. It is written by a TIME senior correspondent who covers the capital full time. #### Who writes TIME's D.C. Brief? Philip Elliott, a senior correspondent at TIME, writes D.C. Brief. #### Is D.C. Brief free? Yes. D.C. Brief is free at time.com/newsletters. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3/newsletters?i=120666e8-05f2-4eeb-826e-667625d14f91&cr=time-nl-dcbrief-2026q3-v1) ## Video: Donald Trump Outlines Policy Proposals As He Accepts the Nomination at the RNC [Watch (HLS stream): Donald Trump Outlines Policy Proposals As He Accepts the Nomination at the RNC](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/uLiqxCkk.m3u8) (4:55)  _Published 2024-07-19. Donald Trump used his speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night to outline a few policy proposals during his speech, drawing a contrast with the Biden Administration over the economy, immigration, and foreign policy._  by [Nik Popli](https://time.com/author/nik-popli/)  ## Nik Popli Staff Writer Updated: Jan 19, 2026 8:30 AM UTCPublished: Jul 19, 2024 3:21 AM UTC  An image of U.S. former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump raising his fist after an assassination attempt is shown on a screen as he speaks during the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2024. An image of U.S. former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump raising his fist after an assassination attempt is shown on a screen as he speaks during the last day of the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 18, 2024. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP—Getty Images  by [Nik Popli](https://time.com/author/nik-popli/)  ## Nik Popli Staff Writer Updated: Jan 19, 2026 8:30 AM UTCPublished: Jul 19, 2024 3:21 AM UTC Just five days after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump took to the stage at the Republican National Convention Thursday night to accept his party’s nomination for a third consecutive presidential bid. Making his first public remarks since the shooting, Trump called for unity in his speech, a theme that has emerged throughout the convention after the violence at his rally, which took the life of one attendee. In the second half of his speech he invoked familiar themes of political persecution, illegal immigration, and taxes, returning to more typical tone and content for his political speeches while largely avoiding mentioning President Joe Biden by name. Trump’s remarks marked the end of a strategically orchestrated four-day event that has seen the Republican Party coalesce around his leadership once more, underscoring his enduring influence despite his ongoing legal battles and controversies. As he took the stage, a sea of delegates and supporters greeted Trump with thunderous applause, many sporting [bandages on their ears in solidarity](https://time.com/7000028/ear-bandage-fashion-trend-republicans-convention-rnc-trump-shooting/) with his injury sustained in the recent shooting incident. Here are the key moments from Trump’s speech. ## **First comments on assassination attempt** Trump began his remarks by addressing the [assassination attempt](https://time.com/6998302/trump-rally-shooting-2/) on his life at a rally in Butler, Penn. last weekend, describing for the first time in cinematic detail the scene of how he was shot. “You'll never hear it from me a second time because it's actually too painful to tell,” Trump said, saying the bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking his life. “Prior to the shot, if I had not moved my head at that very last instant, the assassin's bullet would have perfectly hit its mark and I would not be here tonight,” he said. Describing the moment he was shot, Trump said: “I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me really, really hard on my right ear.” The crowd fell silent. “There was blood pouring everywhere and yet in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side,” Trump said. Trump was rushed to a local hospital for treatment but few details have been released about his condition or care. He has worn a bandage on his right ear throughout the convention. “I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” Trump remarked. The crowd responded: “Yes you are! Yes you are!” Referring to the shooting, which still lacks a definitive motive according to investigators, Trump remarked, “Once [my clenched fist went up](https://time.com/6998896/behind-the-cover-interview-evan-vucci-trump-photorgraph/), and it was high into the air… the crowd realized I was OK and roared with pride for our country like no crowd I have ever heard before… For the rest of my life, I will be grateful for the love shown by that giant audience of patriots.” Trump said he spoke to the families of the [two people who were wounded and one killed](https://time.com/6998724/trump-rally-shooting-victims/) in the shooting, calling them “real Trumpsters.” More than 6 million dollars has been raised for the families, Trump said. He then kissed the helmet of Corey Comperatore, a volunteer firefighter who was killed at the rally, and held a moment of silence for him. ## **A unity pitch** Trump, whose rhetoric has often been associated with sowing division, used his speech to call for the “discord and division in our society” to be healed in the wake of the shooting. "The discord and division in our society must be healed, and we must heal it quickly,” he said. "We rise together or we fall apart. I am running to be President for all of America, not half of America. Because there is no victory in winning for half of America." **Read More:** [_How America Can Still Come Together_](https://time.com/6999339/political-violence-america-unity/) “This election should be about the issues facing our country and how to make America successful, safe, free, and great again,” Trump continued. “Our politics too often divide us.” ## **Calls on Democrats to drop his criminal cases** After a federal judge [dismissed the criminal case](https://time.com/6998605/donald-trump-classified-documents-case-dismissed/) against Trump over his alleged mishandling of classified documents, the former President called on Democrats to drop the other cases against him. He’s facing criminal cases in Washington, D.C. and Georgia over his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and was [convicted of falsifying business records](https://time.com/6983196/donald-trump-convicted-hush-money-trial-new-york/) to cover up hush-money payments in a New York trial in the spring. “We must not criminalize dissent to demonize political disagreement, which is what’s been happening in our country, likely at a level that nobody has ever seen before,” he said. “In that spirit, the Democrat Party should immediately stop weaponizing the justice system and labeling their political opponent as an enemy of democracy.” He continued: “If Democrats want to unify our country they should stop these partisan witch hunts… and they should do that without delay and allow an election to proceed that is worthy of our people. We’re going to win it anyway.” ## **Policy positions** Trump outlined a few policy proposals during his speech, drawing a contrast with the Biden Administration over the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. He offered few new details, but vowed to increase oil drilling, finish building the U.S.-Mexico border wall, and said he would end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. He did not mention abortion, a potentially [troublesome topic for Republicans](https://time.com/6333189/beshear-youngkin-election-abortion/) that [Democrats have made a focal point](https://time.com/6588737/abortion-biden-trump-election-2024/) of their campaign against him. On the topic of inflation—one of the top election issues for voters, though data shows it’s cooling—Trump said he would “end the inflation crisis” by drilling for oil to lower energy costs. Doing so, he said, will bring down prices for transportation, manufacturing, and household goods. “So much starts with energy,” Trump said. “We are a nation that has the opportunity to make an absolute fortune with its energy.” He promised that under his Administration, the U.S. would become “energy dominant” and “supply the rest of the world” with energy. Trump called the Democrats’ climate-change policies a “green new scam” that has “caused tremendous inflationary pressures,” and vowed to redirect money set aside for those initiatives to “important projects like roads, bridges, dams.” Last year was the [hottest year on record](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-analysis-confirms-2023-as-warmest-year-on-record/) and scientists say the world is on track to heat up even more, such that [some parts of the planet will become uninhabitable](https://whyy.org/articles/un-ipcc-climate-change-report-uninhabitable-planet-code-red/). **Read More:**[ _The Biden Dilemma_](https://time.com/7000126/biden-dilemma-replace-drop-out/) Trump also [said he would reverse](https://time.com/6989396/donald-trump-polling-electric-vehicles/) Biden’s electric vehicle policies designed to encourage E.V. manufacturing and sales on his first day in office. While discussing the economy,Trump promised “massive tax cuts for workers” and falsely claimed that the Biden Administration is planning to raise taxes “by four times.” Biden has pledged not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000, and nothing in his budget suggests that taxes would be raised by a factor of four. Trump also mentioned his support for removing taxes on tips, a populist plan that he’s talked about at rallies in recent months. Some Republicans worry the plan would add to the national debt. He returned to comfortable territory pledging to curb illegal immigration and shut down the U.S.-Mexico border, while claiming that undocumented immigrants contribute to violent crime and take jobs from Americans. He showed a favorite chart about illegal immigration trends in the country—the same one he was showing at his rally in Pennsylvania at the moment he was shot. “Under the Trump Administration, if you came in illegally, you were apprehended immediately and you were deported,” he said. “You went right back. The current Administration terminated every single one of those great Trump policies that I put in place to seal the border.” Trump ran through a few foreign policy positions during his speech. He vowed to bring home American hostages held by Hamas, he said his leadership dissuades Russian aggression, and of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, Trump said, “I think he misses me.” Trump only mentioned Biden by name once during his speech—which he said was intentional—though he did devote a portion of his speech to blaming his “opponents” for their policies. “We have totally incompetent leadership,” Trump said. “This will be the most important election in the history of our country. Under the current Administration, we are indeed a nation in decline.” ## **Melania Trump makes first appearance at RNC** Trump acknowledged his wife Melania, in her first public appearance at the convention. “On this journey, I am deeply honored to be joined by my amazing wife, Melania,” he said. “You also did something really beautiful, a letter to America, calling for national unity,” he continued, referencing a statement she put out after the shooting at his rally. “And it really took the Republican Party by surprise. I will tell you it was beautiful.” ## **Trump predicts a long career for J.D. Vance** Trump also took a moment to introduce his [newly-appointed running mate](https://time.com/6998809/jd-vance-vice-president-trump-nominee/), Ohio Sen. [J.D. Vance](https://time.com/6999989/jd-vance-trump-vice-president-running-mate-rnc-speech/), who many consider to be Trump’s heir apparent to the MAGA throne. “You’re going to be doing this for a long time, enjoy the ride,” Trump said, looking at the first-term Senator in the VIP box. **Read More:** [_Why Trump Chose J.D. Vance_](https://time.com/6998873/why-trump-chose-j-d-vance-for-vice-president/) “He’s going to be a great Vice President… It was an honor to select him,” Trump continued. “A great, great student at Yale. His [wife](https://time.com/6999385/usha-vance-jd-wife-indian-american-yale-law-hindu/) was a great student at Yale. They met at Yale. These are two smart people.” Vance, who is currently 39, would be the third-youngest Vice President in history if elected. ## Transcript Monday, a major ruling was handed down from a highly respected federal judge in Florida, Ilen Cannon, finding that the prosecutor and the fake documents case against me were totally unconstitutional, and the entire case was thrown out of court. With all of that publicity, thrown out of court. If Democrats want to unify our country, they should drop these partisan witch hunts, which I have been going through for approximately eight years. And they should do that without delay and allow an election to proceed that isy of our people. We're gonna win it anyway. On this journey, I am deeply honored to be joined by my amazing wife, Melania. And Mania, thank you very much. You also did something really beautiful, a letter to America calling for National Unity, and it really took the Republican Party by surprise. I will tell you, it was beautiful. But I'm thrilled to have a new friend and partner fighting by my side. The next Vice President of the United States, the current Senator from Ohio, JD Vance and his incredible wife, Oha And he's gonna be with us for a long time, and it was an honor to select him, great, great student at Yale. His wife was a great student at Yale. They met at. Yale. These are two smart people. So, JD, you're gonna be doing this for a long time. Enjoy the ride. If you took the ten worst presidents in the history of the United States, think of it. The ten worst added them up. They will not have done the damage that Biden has done. Only going to use the term once. Biden. I'm not going to use the name anymore, just one time. The damage that he's done to this country is unthinkable. It's unthinkable. Under this administration, our current administration, groceries are up 57%, gasoline is up 60 and 70%. Mortgage rates have quadrupled. And the fact is, it doesn't matter what they are because you can't get the money anyway. Can't buy houses. Young people can't get any financing to buy a house. The total household costs have increased on average of $28,000 per family under this administration. Republicans have a plan to bring down prices and bring them down very, very rapidly. By slashing energy costs, we will in turn reduce the cost of transportation, manufacturing and all household goods. So much starts with energy. And remember, we have more liquid gold under our feet than any other country, by far, we are a nation that has the opportunity to make an absolute fortune with its energy. We have it, and China does it. Under the Trump administration just 3.5 years ago, we were energy independent, but soon we will actually be better than that. We will be energy dominant and supply not only ourselves, but we will supply the rest of the world. So to conclude, Just a few short days ago, my journey with you nearly ended. We know that. And yet here we are tonight all gathered together, talking about the future promise, and a total renewal of a thing we love very much. It's called America. We live in a world of miracles. None of us knows God's plan or where life's adventure will take us. And quite simply, we will very quickly make America great again. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Wisconsin. God bless you. God bless you, Wisconsin, and God bless the United States of America, our great country. Thank you very much, everybody. 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