Claire Merchlinsky/The New York Instances; Photographs by Mary981, through Getty Photographs
You may name it a wonderful second of occasion unity. Or a craven show of political flip-flopping and bootlicking. Both method, the Republican Occasion’s nominating conference was a formidable present of pressure by its undisputed chief, Donald Trump, who has vanquished all comers to rally his occasion across the MAGA flag.
This was not the foregone conclusion it could now appear. Heading into the first elections, loads of Republicans had been desperately casting about for a Trump different, and loads of challengers had been auditioning for the place. However you possibly can’t combat the bottom, and because it grew to become clear that Republican voters had been going to stay with Mr. Trump, his skeptics and critics fell into line one after the other.
And so this week we noticed a parade of onetime heretics ascend the conference stage to bend the knee and provide their tributes to Mr. Trump: Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ted Cruz, Elise Stefanik, simply to call just a few — and, in fact, JD Vance, now Mr. Trump’s operating mate and inheritor obvious to the MAGA motion.
A number of the prodigal audio system had been extra effusive of their reward than others. Some seemed extra pained than others. (Poor Nikki.) However the overarching message was clear: The G.O.P. is Mr. Trump’s occasion, now greater than ever.
I’m a ‘By no means Trump’ man. I by no means preferred him.
– PBS interview, Oct. 2016
I believe that I’m going to vote third-party as a result of I can’t abdomen Trump. I believe that he’s noxious and is main the white working class to a really darkish place.
– NPR interview, Aug. 2016
Now
For the final eight years, President Trump has given the whole lot he has to combat for the individuals of our nation. He didn’t want politics, however the nation wanted him.
President Trump represents America’s final finest hope to revive what, if misplaced, could by no means be discovered once more: a rustic the place a working-class boy born removed from the halls of energy can stand on this stage as the following vice chairman of the USA of America.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
The issue with Trump is he’s by no means been wherever close to a uniform.
The closest he’s come to hurt’s method is a golf ball hitting him on a golf cart.
What number of extra occasions do now we have to lose earlier than we notice that he’s the issue. He misplaced in 2018. He misplaced in 2020. He misplaced in ’22. And he misplaced final week. This can be a sample that’s going to steer us to a President Kamala Harris if we don’t change course.
– Fox Information interview, Feb. 2024
Three million unlawful immigrants got here in below Trump’s watch as a result of the asylum legal guidelines weren’t sturdy sufficient.
– Marketing campaign occasion, Feb. 2024
Now
I’ll begin by making one factor completely clear: Donald Trump has my sturdy endorsement, interval.
When Donald Trump was president, Putin did nothing. No invasions. No wars. That was no accident. Putin didn’t assault Ukraine as a result of he knew Donald Trump was robust. A powerful president doesn’t begin wars. A powerful president prevents wars.
Below Donald Trump, we didn’t have the border catastrophe now we have at the moment, and we gained’t when he’s president once more.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
I believe all pro-lifers ought to know that he’s making ready to promote you out.
– Radio Iowa interview, Sept. 2023
You could be probably the most nugatory Republican in America, however should you kiss the ring, he’ll say you’re great. You could be the strongest, most dynamic, profitable Republican and conservative in America, however should you don’t kiss that ring, then he’ll attempt to trash you.
– Marketing campaign occasion, Jan. 2024
Now
Life was extra inexpensive when Donald Trump was president. Our border was safer below the Trump administration, and our nation was revered when Donald Trump was our commander in chief.
Now, Donald Trump stands of their method and he stands up for America. Donald Trump has been demonized, he’s been sued, he’s been prosecuted, and he practically misplaced his life. We can’t let him down and we can’t let America down.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
What Trump did final week was improper. Downright abhorrent. Plain and easy.
– Tweet following Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot
The loser of the final election refused to concede the race, claimed the election was stolen, raised a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} from loyal supporters and is contemplating operating for government workplace once more. I’m referring, in fact, to Donald Trump.
– Mr. Ramaswamy’s 2022 ebook, “Nation of Victims”
Now
If you wish to seal the border, vote Trump. If you wish to restore legislation and order on this nation, vote Trump. If you wish to reignite the financial system on this nation, vote Trump.
There may be another reason I’m going to ask you to vote Trump, and it’s an important one. It’s the one the media gained’t discuss, but it surely’s the reality. Donald Trump is the president who will truly unite this nation not via empty phrases, however via motion.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
I believe within the presidential subject, there are some candidates — who over the long term they usually’ve already began this course of — are considerably disqualifying themselves with untruthful statements.
– WAMC Public Radio interview, Dec. 2015
Now
President Trump will carry again ethical management to the White Home, condemning antisemitism and standing sturdy with Israel and the Jewish individuals. President Trump will as soon as once more ship probably the most safe border in our nation’s historical past and unleash the American financial system, and he’ll carry peace via energy as commander in chief, standing with our allies and inflicting our enemies to worry us. President Trump has finished it earlier than and he’ll do it once more.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
Donald Trump’s constantly disgraceful habits is beneath the workplace we’re looking for and we aren’t going to comply with.
– Tweet, March 2016
This man is a pathological liar. He does not know the distinction between fact and lies.
– Marketing campaign occasion, Could 2016
Now
God bless Donald J. Trump. And let me begin by giving because of God almighty for shielding President Trump and for turning his head on Saturday because the shot was fired.
Right here’s the excellent news: We are able to repair it. And when Donald Trump is president, we’ll repair it. We all know this as a result of he’s finished it earlier than.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
He runs on this concept that he’s preventing for the little man. However he has spent his total profession sticking it to the little man.
You all have associates who’re fascinated about voting for Donald Trump. Buddies don’t let associates vote for con artists.
– Marketing campaign occasion, Feb. 2016
For years to come back, there are various individuals on the fitting, within the media and voters at massive which might be going to be having to clarify and justify how they fell into this entice of supporting Donald Trump.
– CNN interview, March 2016
Now
By giving voice to on a regular basis People, President Trump has not simply reworked our occasion, he has impressed a motion. A motion of the individuals who develop our meals and drive our vehicles, the individuals who make our vehicles and construct our properties, the individuals whose taxes fund our authorities, and whose youngsters combat our wars.
My fellow People, the one approach to make America rich and secure and powerful once more is to make Donald J. Trump our president once more.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
