Two days after an attempted assassination, Donald Trump made a victorious comeback to the public spotlight on Monday night at the Republican National Convention, where he was greeted with thunderous applause from hundreds of supporters wearing bandages over one ear.

Raising his fist, the former president arrived into the Milwaukee convention arena to the sounds of a live performance of “God Bless the USA”.

After that, he cautiously made his way past jubilant delegates, some of whom had tears in their eyes, and greeted important political friends and family members, including three of his children—though not his wife Melania.

The crowd occasionally raised their hands and yelled “Fight! Fight! Fight!” - mirroring Trump's outcry following a gunshot wound to his ear sustained during a Pennsylvania event on Saturday.
 

A wave of political momentum is propelling the Republican contender for the presidential election in November. After a dismal debate performance last month, the Democratic Party has begun to doubt 81-year-old Joe Biden's candidacy, while Trump's team has been rejoicing over recent court victory.

Seated beside Ohio Senator JD Vance, his running mate and vice presidential candidate, the former president listened to speeches for around an hour at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Senator Vance's inclusion on the November election ticket was revealed just a few hours prior.

Trump did not give a speech, although he did occasionally seem touched by the thousands in attendance. He lowered his head in supplication and repeated what he mouthed: “Thank you, everybody”.

Although the former president's appearance was not formally scheduled on the first day of the convention, supporters and Republican delegates had been waiting hours for it.

The head of the Teamsters labor union, Sean O'Brien, was among the many speakers on Monday. He commended Trump for being "tough" and open to hearing opposing viewpoints, but he clarified that he was not backing any particular party.

Rapper and model Amber Rose, a former Trump opponent, also spoke at the conference, sharing her political journey toward the former president. She continued, saying: "Trump supporters don’t care if you’re black, white, gay or straight - it’s all love."

Exciting First Day

The first day of the Republican convention in Wisconsin, one of the six battleground states that will determine the election, was exciting and highlighted by the appearance of Donald Trump.

News of a federal judge dropping criminal charges against Trump for hiding more than 300 sensitive documents at his Florida club following his first time in office leaked out before the convention even got underway.

Special prosecutor Jack Smith was appointed illegally, according to Trump appointee Aileen Cannon, and lacked the jurisdiction to file a 37-count indictment against the outgoing president.

With this victory, the Republican nominee now has no chance of facing another criminal trial before November 5th, when Americans vote to the polls.

During a roll call vote shortly after the convention opened, about 2,500 Republican delegates formally nominated Trump for president.