Claire Merchlinsky/The New York Occasions; Pictures by Mary981, through Getty Pictures
You might name it a wonderful second of get together unity. Or a craven show of political flip-flopping and bootlicking. Both method, the Republican Social gathering’s nominating conference was a formidable present of power 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 have been desperately casting about for a Trump different, and loads of challengers have been auditioning for the place. However you’ll be able to’t combat the bottom, and because it grew to become clear that Republican voters have 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 couple of — and, after all, JD Vance, now Mr. Trump’s working mate and inheritor obvious to the MAGA motion.
A number of the prodigal audio system have 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 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
For the final eight years, President Trump has given all the things 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 greatest hope to revive what, if misplaced, might 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 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 instances do now we have 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. It is a sample that’s going to guide us to a President Kamala Harris if we don’t change course.
– Fox Information interview, Feb. 2024
Three million unlawful immigrants got here in beneath Trump’s watch as a result of the asylum legal guidelines weren’t robust sufficient.
– Marketing campaign occasion, Feb. 2024
I’ll begin by making one factor completely clear: Donald Trump has my robust 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 robust president doesn’t begin wars. A robust president prevents wars.
Beneath Donald Trump, we didn’t have the border catastrophe now we have in the present day, 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 getting ready to promote you out.
– Radio Iowa interview, Sept. 2023
You might be essentially the most nugatory Republican in America, however when you kiss the ring, he’ll say you’re great. You might be the strongest, most dynamic, profitable Republican and conservative in America, however when 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 beneath 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 not let him down and we can not 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 lots of of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} from loyal supporters and is contemplating working for govt workplace once more. I’m referring, after all, 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 financial system on this nation, vote Trump.
There may be another reason I’m going to ask you to vote Trump, and it’s crucial one. It’s the one the media gained’t discuss, however it’s the reality. Donald Trump is the president who will really unite this nation not by way of empty phrases, however by way of motion.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
I believe within the presidential area, 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 carry again ethical management to the White Home, condemning antisemitism and standing robust with Israel and the Jewish individuals. President Trump will as soon as once more ship essentially the most safe border in our nation’s historical past and unleash the American financial system, and he’ll carry peace by way of energy as commander in chief, standing with our allies and inflicting our enemies to worry us. President Trump has executed it earlier than and he’ll do it once more.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
Donald Trump’s persistently disgraceful conduct is beneath the workplace we’re looking for and we’re not going to observe.
– Tweet, March 2016
This man is a pathological liar. He does not know the distinction between fact and lies.
– Marketing campaign occasion, Could 2016
God bless Donald J. Trump. And let me begin by giving because of 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 are going to repair it. We all know this as a result of he’s executed 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 complete profession sticking it to the little man.
You all have pals who’re enthusiastic about voting for Donald Trump. Pals don’t let pals vote for con artists.
– Marketing campaign occasion, Feb. 2016
For years to return, there are numerous individuals on the proper, within the media and voters at giant which can be 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 remodeled our get together, he has impressed a motion. A motion of the individuals who develop our meals and drive our vans, the individuals who make our vehicles and construct our properties, the individuals whose taxes fund our authorities, and whose kids combat our wars.
My fellow Individuals, the one method to make America rich and protected and powerful once more is to make Donald J. Trump our president once more.
– 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference
