(NewsNation) — The Republican National Convention is kicking off in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where former President Donald Trump is slated to formally become the party’s presidential candidate just two days after he survived an assassination attempt.
Sources tell NewsNation that Trump rewrote his speech to emphasize unity following the shooting at his Pennsylvania rally Saturday, calling on Republicans to focus more on policy issues and national unity rather than blaming the rhetoric from Democrats.
Trump also named Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate, making the announcement on Truth Social as the RNC gets underway.
Arizona delegate Gary Snyder spoke with NewsNation as thousands of Republicans flocked to the battleground state for the convention.
“From the state of Arizona, our atmosphere and what we’re feeling is energetic since we decided and seeing that Donald Trump is running for 2024. We believe in being united, working as grassroots and making sure Arizona delivers for Donald J. Trump,” Snyder said. “We don’t blame the Democrats. We work further, we work harder, and we want to be united, and that’s what we’ve been doing in Arizona for Donald J. Trump.”
The attempted assassination has already spurred Republicans to close ranks around Trump, who has been a divisive figure within his own party. The image of him bloodied, raising his fist to the crowd and mouthing the word “fight” could become a pivotal moment in the election.
“The Republican Party is about uniting, and we want to show that, and that’s the platform that we need to be in, is being united for a better United States and better united for the whole world,” Snyder said.