Some GOP voters welcome Trump’s somewhat softened tone at the Republican National Convention

MILWAUKEE– For conservative voters long estranged from former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, your tone somewhat softened Accepting the Republican nomination on Thursday night was a welcome relief.

“He’s gotten a lot better,” said Dave Struthers, a 57-year-old farmer from Collins, Iowa, after watching the beginning of Trump’s speech in the basement of his farmhouse. “It’s more about talking to the American people rather than yelling at them.”

Trump, who has a long history of divisive comments, said Shoplifters must be shot immediatelysuggested the top general of the United States be executed as a traitor and mocked Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s husband, who was beaten with a hammer by a far-right conspiracy theorist.

But on Thursday night in Milwaukee, he wore a white bandage over his right ear, which had been pierced by a bullet fired from him. an alleged murderer a few days earlier, and spoke in a calmer, more relaxed tone, at least in the first part of the speech. He described his experience with the shooting and called for an end to discord, division and demonization in national politics.

However, many of his talking points remained familiar and his rhetoric became more biting. as the 93-minute speech progressed. He claimed that Democrats are destroying America, derided the cases against him as a partisan witch hunt, warned of an “invasion” at the U.S.-Mexico border, and insisted, without evidence, that homicide rates in countries in Central and South America fell because they were sending their killers to the USA

The more low-key introduction at first was enough to make Trump take a second look at Erich Hazen, a 32-year-old art teacher in Milwaukee who described himself as a longtime Democrat who supports abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. He said he is now considering voting for Trump in November — surprising even himself.

“I feel like he calmed things down a little bit more,” Hazen said. “Now that he’s a little more reserved, it makes me more comfortable.”

“I’m not normally indecisive, so this is a little strange for me,” he added. “But what I saw on the other side was nothing impressive. He’s at least making coherent sentences.”

Jennifer Ryan Garnica, 52, who owns a store selling Trump merchandise in Seal Beach, California, said she noticed an increase in traffic at her store during the speech and thought people found it inspiring. She said the attempt on Trump’s life was an emotional experience for her and that a change in tone was desperately needed.

“Our country has become so divided that we wish each other ill will,” Garnica said.

Struthers, a Republican who raises hogs and grows soybeans and corn, supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the caucuses. He said that while he appreciated some of Trump’s policies as president, his trade war with China has hurt agriculture — including soybean sales, as that country is a major customer.

The speech did not win over everyone, however.

“I don’t think he looks any different than he did before the assassination attempt,” said John Frank, a 25-year-old designer from Milwaukee and a self-described libertarian.

Frank said he doesn’t plan to vote in November, but he still met up with a friend to watch the speech because “we didn’t want to miss something big happening in Milwaukee.”

Inside the safe zone around the convention, attendees packed a pub called Drink Wisconsinbly and sang “Proud to Be an American” as they watched Trump take center stage on television screens around the bar.

All week, Max Bradshaw, the bar’s general manager, said he noticed a softer tone from Trump and other party leaders in the wake of the assassination attempt. Bradshaw declined to give his own opinion on Trump and said there is a diversity of political beliefs among his team, “but all week everyone has been neutral.”

“It feels like we’re all a little more united, so regardless of what’s going on politically, I still feel more togetherness now,” he said. “I’m very happy with it.”

Outside the pub, Liam Stanton, 29, said he feels increasingly out of place in America’s two-party system, calling both parties “pathetic.” He described himself as a Bernie Sanders supporter who, in previous presidential elections, voted for both Republicans and, once, for a Democrat.

Despite agreeing with the Democratic Party’s “pro-immigration views,” Stanton said he plans to vote for Trump. He sees President Joe Biden as “incoherent” and out of touch.

Still, Stanton was unimpressed by Trump’s speech and said he only attended the convention because a friend had free guest passes.

“I expected it to be spicier, to be honest with you,” Stanton said.

___

Johnson reported from Seattle. Jeff Roberson at St. Ashley Landis in Seal Beach, California; and Charlie Neibergall in Collins, Iowa, contributed.