MILWAUKEE – Donald Trump recounted the terrifying moment he realized he was struck by a bullet in his first public speech since an attempted assassination, telling party faithful at the Republican National Convention that his resolve has never been stronger.
“I said to myself, ‘Wow, what was that? It can only be a bullet,’” Trump said as Republicans cheered and wiped tears from their eyes during the former president’s closing speech at the four-day convention in Milwaukee Thursday.
Some world leaders have expressed concern over the looming possibility Trump will return to the White House, as President Joe Biden stepped back from campaigning after testing positive for COVID-19 this week at a critical time for the Democrats.
Speculation about Biden’s future and mental acuity have been swirling following a disastrous debate performance against Trump last month and multiple missteps at the NATO leaders’ summit in Washington last week.
Matthew Lebo, a specialist in U.S. politics at Western University in London, Ont., said Trump can be erratic, and global leaders are worried they can’t rely on stability from the U.S.
Trump said America has been taken advantage of by other countries. He said some call themselves allies and pointed to the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was forced into renegotiation during the first Trump administration. The outcome of that negotiation, called the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, is up for review in 2026.
Ahead of Trump’s speech, Canada’s ambassador to the United States was urging Canadians to talk to Americans about the countries’ important relationship.
“If you are at the lake this summer with some American neighbours, just take a moment to remind yourselves and themselves how lucky we are to have each other as neighbours,” said Kirsten Hillman, who was attending the convention.
“And how much prosperity and security we get out of it.”
Trump has mused about higher duties on foreign goods, suggesting a blanket 10 per cent tariff on nearly all imports.
In an interview, Hillman said the United States is a “noisy ecosystem,” and it takes a lot of work to ensure information about the Canadian relationship gets through.
Hillman said she has met with senators, representatives in Congress and members of Trump’s previous administration at the convention.
“Fundamentally, Americans who are elected to represent their people want to make sure that they are prosperous, that they are safe, that they have a future, that their children have a future – and their relationship with Canada is a real contributor to those goals.”
Trump, with a white bandage on his right ear, formally accepted the Republican presidential nomination as he stood on a stage in front of a mock-up of the White House.
He took a more introspective tone, reflecting on the moment he almost lost his life at the rally in Pennsylvania Saturday. He also rallied supporters against Democrats, saying they’ve been conducting partisan witch hunts and denouncing the current administration’s record.
Republican Ed Schlesser said he feels like Trump has shown a more tempered side to his leadership since the shooting.
“He really wants to do it for the whole United States and the world,” said Schlesser, wearing a red Trump shirt.
Following the shooting, the former president called for unity. Lebo said any sense of oneness across party lines quickly disappeared from convention speakers’ talking points as the rhetoric became increasingly adversarial.
“That’s not Donald Trump. That’s not the party platform. That’s not the party right now,” he said of the conciliatory tone.
Trump called the U.S. a nation in decline, pointing to illegal immigration and foreign policy under the Democrats.
“Under our leadership, the United States will be respected again,” Trump told the crowd to cheers.
Trump’s comments likely did little to quell global concerns about America’s role in the world, which were already heightened by Trump’s choice for running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
Vance will just “toot Trump’s horn,” Lebo said.
The vice-presidential nominee has been a vocal opponent of U.S. military aid to Ukraine as it fends off Russia’s invasion. In addition, Trump has repeatedly said he would not defend NATO members that don’t meet defence spending targets.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to meet NATO’s target, the equivalent of two per cent of gross domestic product, by 2032. But he has been criticized for the lengthy timeline and the lack of detail on how Ottawa will make it happen.
Several premiers have urged Canada to meet the NATO spending target, stressing a need to preserve bilateral relations.
“For Canada and its relationship with the United States — we are significant trading partners — we want them to respect us fully, in all aspects, including our ability to honour obligations,” said Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston at the Council of the Federation meeting this week in Halifax.
Vince, who did not want to give his last name, travelled from Illinois to the convention to show his support for the Republican leader. He thinks Trump recognizes the special relationship with Canada.
“We are neighbours,” Vince said.
“You wouldn’t know if there wasn’t borders, you would never know what side of the border you’re on. We’re all the same.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2024.
— With files from The Associated Press and Lyndsay Armstrong in Halifax.
