Trump gives detailed account of assassination attempt in lengthy RNC acceptance speech

In a speech that lasted more than 90 minutes, Donald Trump gave an emotional account of his assassination attempt as he accepted the Republican nomination for president.

Trump took the stage Thursday night at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to chants of "USA" from the crowd.

"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," Trump said. "So tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States."

Recounting the assassination attempt

Trump thanked Americans for their support after he was shot in Pennsylvania last weekend.

He said the bullet that grazed his ear came within a "quarter-inch" of killing him.

"So many people have asked me what happened," he said. "And therefore, I’ll tell you exactly what happened, and you’ll never hear it from me a second time, because it’s actually too painful to tell."

Trump said he turned his head in order to see a chart of border crossings that was on display, and said he was lucky he didn't turn further.

"I heard a loud whizzing sound," he said.

"I said to myself, 'Wow, what was that? It can only be a bullet.'"

"I immediately knew it was very serious, we were under attack."

Trump praised the Secret Service agents who protected him when the shooting began.

"I had God on my side," he said. "I felt that."

"In almost all cases, as you probably know, and when even a single bullet is fired — crowds run for the exits or stampede," Trump said. "But not in this case."

Trump said the crowd pointed out the shooter after he was struck.

"They saw me go down, they saw the blood, and thought I was dead," Trump said. "This beautiful crowd, they didn't want to leave me."

"I'm not supposed to be here tonight," he said, prompting chants of "Yes you are" from the crowd.

"For the rest of my life I will be grateful for the love shown by that giant audience of patriots," Trump said.

He remembered Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was killed in the shooting, and those who were injured. After his comments, he kissed the helmet that was displayed with Comperatore's uniform on stage and called for a moment of silence in his honor.

Trump calls for unity — and criticizes federal cases against him

In what would become the longest nomination acceptance speech in modern history, Trump would call for unity before hitting on his typical political talking points.

"This election should be about the issues facing our country and how to make America successful, safe, free, and great again," Trump said. "In an age when our politics too often divide us, now is the time to remember that we are all fellow citizens — we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

"We must not criminalize dissent or demonize political disagreement," Trump said. "In that spirit, the Democratic party should immediately stop weaponizing the justice system and labeling their opponent as an enemy of democracy, especially since that is not true."

Trump highlighted how a Florida judge had dismissed the federal classified documents case against him. That case has been appealed to the 11th Circuit.

"If Democrats want to unify our country, they should drop these partisan witch hunts," he said.

Trump lays out a vision for leadership

"Under our leadership, the United States will be respected again. No nation will question our power. No enemy will doubt our might. Our borders will be totally secure," he said. "Our economy will soar. We will return law and order to our streets, patriotism to our schools, and importantly, we will restore peace, stability, and harmony all throughout the world."

But, Trump said, that required turning America from what he called the "failed leadership" of the Biden administration.

Trump blamed that administration for current inflation woes, what he called the "immigration crisis" at the southern border and international wars and tensions that threatened to destabilize the globe.

Trump promised to lower energy costs by increasing extractive drilling, close the U.S.-Mexico border and "end every single international crisis" the U.S. is currently involved in.

The Republican agenda

Trump outlined a plan to make everyday needs more affordable for voters, particularly by reducing inflation and protecting jobs, slashing the costs of energy, transportation and food.

"I will bring back the American dream," he said. "With great humility, I am asking you to be excited about the future of our country."

"We have more liquid gold under our feet than any other country," he said, alluding to how his administration would focus on domestic energy production to compete with other global suppliers.

He said his administration would redirect government money to infrastructure spending, end what he called the "electric vehicle mandate" and restore domestic auto manufacturing through taxes and tariffs on foreign-built cars.

"We have long been taken advantage of by other countries," Trump said. "I stopped it for four years."

"We will not let countries come in, take our jobs, and plunder our nation," he said.

Trump promised tax cuts for workers and protections for Social Security and Medicare.

But, Trump said, it all depended on controlling immigration at the southern U.S. border.

Immigration plans

Trump promised to close the U.S. borders on day one of his presidency and insisted that immigration had to take place legally.

He highlighted the chart that he alleged saved his life last weekend, which showed levels of illegal immigration between his administration and President Biden's.

"The greatest invasion in history is taking place right here in our country — they are coming in from every corner of the Earth, not just from South America, but from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East — they’re coming from everywhere," Trump said. "And the [Biden] administration does nothing to stop them."

Trump said crime rates in places like Venezuela and El Salvador were declining, alleging it was because governments there were sending criminals to the U.S. instead.

"The Republican platform promises to launch the largest deportation operation in the history of our country," he said.

"Tonight, America, this is my vow: I will not let these killers and criminals into our country. I will keep our sons and daughters safe," Trump said.

Foreign policy

"Under President Bush, Russia invaded Georgia," Trump said. "Under President Obama, Russia took Crimea. Under the current administration, Russia is after all of Ukraine. Under President Trump, Russia took nothing."

Trump said he "got along well" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"I think he misses me," Trump said.

"Our opponents inherited a world at peace and turned it into a planet of war," Trump said, criticizing the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"To the entire world: We want our hostages back—and they better be back before I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price," Trump said, referencing the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Promising American innovation and leadership

Trump promised to bolster domestic U.S. military defenses through U.S. manufacturing, including an Iron Dome system. He said his administration would focus on disease research and renovate U.S. cities. Washington. D.C., he said, was a "horrible killing field."

"America is on the cusp of a new Golden Age, but we will have the courage to seize it," Trump said.

Concluding his speech with a call for unity

"We have to make the most of every day for the people and the country that we love," Trump said. "The attacker in Pennsylvania wanted to stop our movement, but the truth is the movement has never been about me. It's been about you."

"For too long, our nation has settled for too little," Trump said. "You have been told to lower your expectations and to accept less for your families. I am here tonight with the opposite message: Your expectations are not big enough. It is time to start expecting and demanding the best leadership in the world, leadership that is bold, dynamic, relentless, and fearless."

"Just like our ancestors we must now come together, rise above past differences," Trump said. "Any disagreements have to be put aside and go forward united as one people, as one nation."

"Tonight, I ask for your partnership, for your support, and I am humbly asking for your vote," Trump said. "We're going to make our country great again. Every day, I will strive to honor the trust you have placed in me, and I will never let you down."

Trump led the audience in a chant: "Win, win, win!"

"America’s future will be bigger, better, bolder, brighter, happier, stronger, freer, greater and more united than ever before," he said.

RELATED STORY | Trump to accept GOP nomination in first major speech since assassination attempt