Claire Merchlinsky/The New York Occasions; Photographs by Mary981, by way of Getty Photographs
You could possibly name it an excellent second of get together unity. Or a craven show of political flip-flopping and bootlicking. Both means, the Republican Social gathering’s nominating conference was a powerful present of drive by its undisputed chief, Donald Trump, who has vanquished all comers to rally his get together 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’ll be able to’t struggle the bottom, and because it turned 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 a number of — 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 appeared extra pained than others. (Poor Nikki.) However the overarching message was clear: The G.O.P. is Mr. Trump’s get together, now greater than ever.
I’m a ‘By no means Trump’ man. I by no means favored him.
– PBS interview, Oct. 2016
I feel that I’m going to vote third-party as a result of I can’t abdomen Trump. I feel that he’s noxious and is main the white working class to a really darkish place.
– NPR interview, Aug. 2016
For the final eight years, President Trump has given all the things he has to struggle for the folks 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 subsequent vp of the US of America.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
The issue with Trump is he’s by no means been anyplace close to a uniform.
The closest he’s come to hurt’s means is a golf ball hitting him on a golf cart.
What number of extra occasions do we’ve to lose earlier than we understand 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
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 powerful. A robust president doesn’t begin wars. A robust president prevents wars.
Beneath Donald Trump, we didn’t have the border catastrophe we’ve in the present day, and we gained’t when he’s president once more.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
I feel all pro-lifers ought to know that he’s making ready to promote you out.
– Radio Iowa interview, Sept. 2023
You might be probably the most nugatory Republican in America, however should you kiss the ring, he’ll say you’re great. You might 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
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 means and he stands up for America. Donald Trump has been demonized, he’s been sued, he’s been prosecuted, and he almost 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 incorrect. 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 bunch of thousands and 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 e book, “Nation of Victims”
If you wish to seal the border, vote Trump. If you wish to restore regulation and order on this nation, vote Trump. If you wish to reignite the economic 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, nevertheless it’s the reality. Donald Trump is the president who will really unite this nation not via empty phrases, however via motion.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
I feel within the presidential subject, there are some candidates — who over the long term and so they’ve already began this course of — are considerably disqualifying themselves with untruthful statements.
– WAMC Public Radio interview, Dec. 2015
President Trump will convey again ethical management to the White Home, condemning antisemitism and standing sturdy with Israel and the Jewish folks. President Trump will as soon as once more ship probably the most safe border in our nation’s historical past and unleash the American economic system, and he’ll convey peace via energy as commander in chief, standing with our allies and inflicting our enemies to worry us. President Trump has performed 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 observe.
– Tweet, March 2016
This man is a pathological liar. He would not know the distinction between reality and lies.
– Marketing campaign occasion, Might 2016
God bless Donald J. Trump. And let me begin by giving due to God almighty for safeguarding 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 performed it earlier than.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
He runs on this concept that he’s combating for the little man. However he has spent his complete profession sticking it to the little man.
You all have buddies who’re serious about voting for Donald Trump. Mates don’t let buddies vote for con artists.
– Marketing campaign occasion, Feb. 2016
For years to come back, there are numerous folks on the correct, within the media and voters at giant which are going to be having to elucidate and justify how they fell into this lure of supporting Donald Trump.
– CNN interview, March 2016
By giving voice to on a regular basis Individuals, President Trump has not simply reworked our get together, 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 folks whose taxes fund our authorities, and whose youngsters struggle our wars.
My fellow Individuals, the one approach to make America rich and secure and robust once more is to make Donald J. Trump our president once more.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference