Donald Trump holds back tears as he's pictured bandaged up in first public appearance since shooting

Trump stepped out alongside his VP pick, JD Vance

Reuters
James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 16/07/2024

- 07:46

Updated: 16/07/2024

- 10:42

Attendees chanted 'fight, fight, fight' as he stepped out alongside his VP pick, JD Vance

Donald Trump was seen holding back tears last night as he made his first public appearance since Saturday's shock assassination attempt.

The 45th President returned to the spotlight at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee to thunderous applause, days after being left with a bloodied ear when suspect Thomas Crooks started shooting at a rally in Pennsylvania.


Trump had been bundled to the floor by his security detail, but raised his fist in triumph and urged supporters to "fight, fight, fight" in a show of strength seen by pundits as a pivotal moment in his bid to return to the White House.

And in Milwaukee, attendees chanted the same as he stepped out alongside his freshly-appointed Vice-Presidential pick, JD Vance.

Trump with a bloodied ear was escorted into a car

The grazed former President raised a fist as he was swept away from Saturday's rally

Reuters

Trump with bandage

Trump was pictured sporting a bandage over his stricken ear

Reuters

Though Trump - now officially confirmed as the Republican candidate - waved to crowds at the RNC, he appeared to fight back tears as he stepped out.

His stricken ear was bandaged up as the event rolled on.

The party faithful were seen giving the Presidential hopeful a standing ovation as country star Lee Greenwood sang "God Bless the USA" - while Trump's son, Donald Jr, also appeared emotional as he entered the room.

Meanwhile, Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley told the convention that Americans should show "the same strength and resilience as President Trump" in the aftermath of his close call.

MORE ON THE ATTACK ON TRUMP:

Trump with bandage and JD Vance

Yesterday, Biden called Vance a Trump "clone"

Reuters

The RNC - a four-day event - kicked off yesterday, and will conclude on July 18 when Trump formally accepts his party's nomination to battle an under-fire Joe Biden in a rematch of their 2020 race.

In the wake of the assassination attempt, Trump has said he is revising his acceptance speech to emphasise national unity instead of highlighting his differences with Biden.

The incumbent President, 81, condemned Saturday's shooting and counselled calm in his country - but he admitted he had erred in saying Trump should be put in the "bullseye" last week.

And though Biden has ordered an independent review to determine how the gunman could have come so close to killing Trump despite the Secret Service's heavy security presence, he continued his campaign attacks on his November challenger - as well as the newly-selected Vance.

Trump with bandage

Trump looked emotional at the RNC last night

Reuters

Yesterday, the President called Vance a Trump "clone", while Democrats pounced on his opposition to abortion rights - an issue which has long proven damaging to Republicans at the polls.

But it's not just Democrats with whom Trump will have to contend if he wants to become the first President since Grover Cleveland to serve two non-consecutive terms in office.

"The Donald" is due to be sentenced in New York in September for trying to cover up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the weeks leading up to his 2016 election victory.

And he also faces more indictments on federal charges in Washington and state charges in Georgia - both related to his efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat - which have been hit by delays and could be thrown out after the US Supreme Court ruled that he had immunity for many of his official acts as president.

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