(The Center Square) – Former President Donald Trump accepted the GOP nomination for President Thursday night, less than a week after surviving an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Concluding the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Trump laid out his policy priorities and described in detail the attack that nearly killed him at the Saturday rally.
“I stand before you this evening with a message of confidence, strength, and hope,” Trump said to begin the speech. “Four months from now, we will have an incredible victory, and we will begin the four greatest years in the history of our country."
Trump went on to formally accept the nomination as the Republican presidential candidate, the culmination of a dominant primary race for the former president.
As Trump spoke, speculation swirled in unconfirmed media reports that President Joe Biden was considering stepping out of the race amid concerns over his age, deteriorating health, poor polling and policy struggles.
“Together, we will launch a new era of safety, prosperity and freedom for citizens of every race, religion, color, and creed,” Trump said.
Trump shared details of the Saturday rally in Butler County, Pa., where the assassination attempt took place. Trump explained how he turned his head to see a chart behind him, how he heard "a loud whizzing sound" and the impact on his right ear.
“As you already know, the assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life,” Trump said. “So many people have asked me what happened ... and therefore, I’ll tell you what happened, and you’ll never hear it from me a second time, because it’s too painful to tell."
"My hand was covered with blood," Trump said.
Trump described his experience surviving the assassination attempt, including how he raised his right arm and began shouting "Fight!"
He also praised the crowd at the rally for not running in fear.
"They saw me go down," he said. "They saw the blood ... this beautiful crowd, they didn't want to leave me. They knew I was in trouble. They didn't want to leave me. Incredible people."
'Thursday's speech was his first since the attack on his life. Trump made the comments at the Fiserv Forum, amidst heavy security, to a crowd of party insiders and delegates.
Multiple media outlets have reported that Biden is considering leaving the race in the next few days after pressure from his own party, adding to the surreal atmosphere after last weekend's violent attack.
On policy, Trump pointed out the recent surge in illegal immigration, the 20% rise in prices since Biden took office, as well as the wars in Europe and the Middle East.
“War is now raging in Europe and the Middle East, a growing specter of conflict hangs over Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, and all of Asia, and our planet is teetering on the edge of World War Three, and this will be a war like no other because of what the weapons are,” Trump said. "It's time for a change."
Trump promised to deal with high prices.
“I will end the devastating inflation crisis immediately, bring down interest rates, and lower the cost of energy," he said. "We will drill, baby, drill, which will lead to a large-scale decline in prices...I will end the illegal immigration crisis by closing our border and finishing the wall, most of which I have already built."
Trump said the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the attack on Israel would never have happened if he was president.
"I will end every single international crisis that the current administration has created – including the horrible war with Russia and Ukraine, and the war caused by the attack on Israel, both of which would never have happened if I were president," Trump said.
Trump’s pick for vice president, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, delivered his remarks the previous night, sharing his life story of growing up in a poor, drug-riddled family, only to overcome the odds, graduate from Yale Law School and become a senator.
Trump’s remarks mark the crescendo of the convention, cement Trump as the party’s nominee, and set the stage for the general election.
“Just a few short days ago, my journey with you nearly ended,” Trump said near the end of his remarks. “And yet here we are tonight, all gathered together, talking about the future, promise, and 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.
"But if the events of last Saturday make anything clear, it is that every single moment we have on earth is a gift from God," he added.
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