Politics

Former Trump Rivals Haley, DeSantis Endorse Him At Republican Convention

In a show of solidarity, former rivals Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis have unequivocally endorsed Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy at the Republican National Convention, just days after he survived an assassination attempt.

Haley, who once criticised Trump as unfit for office during her own presidential bid, delivered a resounding endorsement urging voters to support him over Democratic President Joe Biden.

“You don’t have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him,” stated Haley, the former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor, amidst a mix of applause and dissent from the audience.

Meanwhile, Ron DeSantis, the conservative governor of Florida, rallied the crowd with sharp criticisms of Biden’s age and performance, receiving a warm reception despite his earlier campaign struggles.

Trump, visibly recovering from Saturday’s assassination attempt with his right ear bandaged, watched from his box in the arena alongside running mate Senator J.D. Vance, once a vocal Trump critic turned staunch supporter. Vance is slated to headline the convention’s third night on Wednesday.

The evening’s theme of law and order resonated throughout speeches, largely echoing Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. Speakers passionately denounced Biden’s border policies, linking them to tragic incidents such as the death of Anne Fundner’s son from fentanyl poisoning and the murder of Rachel Morin by an immigrant who had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.

Trump has highlighted Morin’s murder on the campaign trail, where he frequently demonizes migrants as violent criminals. Studies show immigrants do not commit crime at a higher rate than native-born Americans.

Amidst the heated rhetoric, Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law and co-chair of the Republican National Committee, closed the night on a unifying note, emphasising common ground among Americans.

Despite these efforts, a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted after the shooting revealed deepening concerns among voters about the nation’s polarisation, with 80% agreeing that “the country is spiraling out of control.”

Authorities have yet to identify a motive for the shooting. The 20-year-old gunman was killed at the scene by the U.S. Secret Service.

In response, Biden, in his first campaign speech since the incident, reaffirmed his determination to seek reelection during an address to Black voters in Las Vegas.

The four-day convention will culminate in Trump’s prime-time acceptance speech on Thursday, setting the stage for a rematch with Biden in the upcoming election on November 5.

Chioma Kalu