Trump unexpectedly drops in on convention in first public appearance since shooting

The Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Republican vice presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, appear on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

MILWAUKEE — Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at the end of the first day of the Republican National Convention on Monday, his first public event since a gunman attempted to kill him during a campaign rally last weekend.

Trump, who became the party’s official presidential nominee earlier in the day, walked into the arena with a large white bandage covering his right ear, to wild applause from delegates and supporters.

He sat in a segment of the Fiserv Forum designated for Trump family members and special guests. Florida Rep. Byron Donalds sat to his right, with Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana seated to his left.

Trump listened to speeches from four people, including Amber Rose, a model and rapper, who told attendees that Trump was the best option in the presidential race.

Sean O’Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, called Trump “one tough S.O.B” during the final scheduled speech Monday night.

O’Brien also pressed Republicans opposed to organized labor to rethink their stance, while crediting Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley for listening to unions.

“In the past, the Teamsters have endorsed GOP candidates, including Nixon, Reagan and George H.W. Bush,” O’Brien said. “But over the last 40 years, the Republican Party has rarely pursued a strong relationship with organized labor. There are some in the party who stand in active opposition to labor unions — this too, must change.”

O’Brien added that “at the end of the day, the Teamsters are not interested if you have a D, R, or an I next to your name.”

“We want to know one thing: What are you doing to help American workers?”

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