Donald Trump Accepts Republican Nomination for President in Dark-Themed Speech
After more than 13 months of campaigning, real estate billionaire and reality TV star Donald Trump officially accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for president in a speech that evoked the dark themes of his campaign – immigration violence, economic chaos and American weakness.
“I humbly and gratefully accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States,” Trump told a cheering crowd at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday. “We will be a country of generosity and warmth but we will also be a country of law and order.”
However, he quickly turned to attack his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.
“America is far less safe — and the world is far less stable — than when Obama made the decision to put Hillary Clinton in charge of America’s foreign policy,” he said, adding, “I am certain it is a decision he truly regrets. Her bad instincts.”
Also Read: Peter Thiel Makes History at 'Most Pro-LGBT' GOP Convention Ever
The crowd seemed to agree, shouting in a unified chant: “Lock her up! Lock her up!”
Trump’s speech was one of the longest in recent history — an hour and 15 minutes, according to cable news. In an often repetitive stemwinder, Trump promised to simplify international trade agreements, build a wall on the Mexican border, defeat the Islamic State and end violence in the country. He also promised to do all these things “fast.”
He emphasized that he was a different kind of candidate — and represented a different tone from politics as usual. “We can not afford to be so politically-correct anymore,” he said. “At our convention there will be no lies. We will honor the American people with the truth and nothing else.”
Despite a week of hiccups that nearly overshadowed his big moment, Trump seemed to have the audience in his thrall, with delegates stopping him for nearly a minute chanting, “USA! USA!”
Also Read: Sheldon Adelson Refuses to Let Ted Cruz Enter RNC Donor Suite After Speech
Trump was introduced by his daughter, Ivanka, who praised him as a “colorblind, gender neutral” person who was not the man painted as being racist and anti-women during the campaign.
Ivanka said she’d worked for 10 years beside her father and watched him promote women. “Policies that allow women to thrive should not be anomalies, they should be the norm,” she said, sounding more like a Democrat than a Republican.
“He will fight for equal pay and equal work, and I will fight too, right alongside him,” she vowed.
In his own speech, Trump told the story of a woman killed by an immigrant, after which the crowd shouted, “Build the wall! Build the wall!”
Also Read: Trump Today: Sexist Comments, Tombstone and Scapegoating Marco Rubio (Video)
Trump also addressed the recent shootings in Louisiana, Minnesota and Dallas telling delegates, “Many have witnessed this violence personally, some have even been its victims. I have a message for all of you: the crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon come to an end. Beginning on Jan. 20, 2017, safety will be restored.”
Looking determined in a dark suit with a satin red tie, Trump pivoted to speak of championing the Amerian worker who has been “ignored, neglected and abandoned. The forgotten men and women of our country. But they’re not gonna be forgotten long.”
Pointing into the camera he said: “I am your voice.” At this point, the crowd rose in a frenzy, roaring approval with wave after wave of full-throated noise.
Beeaking from the party’s platform, which has been criticized for being one of the most anti-gay the party has ever put forth, Trump made a point to address LGBT voters and delegates, after his party has been harshly criticized for putting forth one of the most anti-LGBT platforms in GOP history.
“Only weeks ago, in Orlando, Florida, 49 wonderful Americans were savagely murdered by an Islamic terrorist,” he said. “This time, the terrorist targeted our LGBTQ community.”
After the crowd roared in approval, Trump added: “I must say as a Republican it’s so nice to hear you cheering for what I just said.”
Also Read: Watch Anti-Trump Mob Debate Lone Trump Supporter at RNC (Video)
Trump doubled down on his controversial Muslim ban, insisting the flood of Muslim immigrants is dangerous to national security.
“Anyone who endorses violence, hatred or oppression is not welcome in our country and never will be,” he said
Trump promised to deliver on his biggest campaign promise while bringing up what many in the Republican Party believe to be his biggest selling point: his business acumen.
“It’s been a signature message of my campaign from day one,” Trump said. “I have made billions of dollars in business making deals, now I’m going to make our country rich again.”
Trump did not explain how he would go about doing it but did say he would turn around the country’s bad trade agreements, calling NAFTA “one of the worst” economic trade agreements ever.
He also vowed a tax reform, proposing the largest tax deduction of any candidate running this year, Democrat or Republicans, with “taxes simplified for everyone.” This, he said, will result in jobs “roaring back.” Per usual, none of this came with any specifics.
Trump sealed his address with a promise: “I’m with you, I will fight for you and I will win for you,” he concluded. “We will make America strong again, we will make America proud again, we will make America safe again. And we will make America great again.”