MILWAUKEE – In the hours since donald trump was grazed by a bullet, the former president called heads of state, politicians – even journalists – while projecting a message of defiance.
The former president spoke to at least seven people by phone, including President Joe BidenUK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and Trump’s former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus. In these and other calls, his allies say Trump is in high spirits ahead of the Republican convention in Milwaukee.
“You would think he would be down,” Fox News host Lawrence Jones said. who told his network he had just spoken to Trump on Sunday morning. “He’s in the saddle. He’s excited,” Jones said.
And officials working for the Trump campaign say they are moving full steam ahead, under his instructions. Three people familiar with plans for the event, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the convention schedule is moving forward as originally planned.
“Our boss is leading the way,” said a Trump campaign official. “He set the tone, which is ‘Let’s get back to it and win.’”
In downtown Milwaukee before the convention began Monday, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told POLITICO that the convention will be “much more exciting” and that attendees will be “much more passionate about Trump.”
“Everyone I’ve spoken to who has spoken to him has said he’s doing really well. He’s amazing,” Gingrich said. “He has recovered and will be here.”
Saturday’s rally left Trump wounded by a bullet but also appeared to give him an outward sense of defiance. Immediately after the shooting, the president raised his fist in the air in a now-iconic photo that his party and allies are sharing, and through social media posts and appeals to donors, Trump repeated the message of resilience.
“At this time, it is more important than ever that we stand together and show our true character as Americans by remaining strong and determined and not allowing evil to win,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. , Sunday morning.
“UNITE AMERICA!” he also posted on Sunday.
Those who spoke with Trump publicly conveyed that he appeared to be in good health, both mentally and physically. Biden described his phone call with Trump as a “good, short, respectful” call during Sunday afternoon remarks at the White House.
Throughout his campaign, Trump sought to project strength by trying to distinguish himself from Biden, who was facing intense pressure to resign and install a younger candidate as the running mate immediately before the attack.
The desire to project strength was also reflected in a campaign text released to Trump campaign supporters: “I will NEVER surrender”, said his political team in a fundraising appeal.
Trump also said on Truth Social that he would not allow the apparent assassination attempt to delay his trip to Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention, and that he would leave for the Badger State at 3:30 pm on Sunday.
“He seems like a person ready to go, very strong, unshakable,” said Priebus, who also spoke with Trump on Sunday afternoon. during an interview with ABC News.
Joe Kernen, the conservative co-host of Squawk Box on CNBC, said in a social media post who spoke on Sunday afternoon with Trump, who asked him to convey that he is “doing very well” and “grateful” for all the support he has received from Republicans and Democrats. He said Trump told him he had a “little problem” with his bruised ear, “but was glad he turned his head at the last minute.”
Repeatedly, Trump also praised MAGA supporters in Pennsylvania, who cheered his survival as he raised his fist in the air, blood streaming down his face, seconds after surviving the attack on his life.
“’Did you see the people in the audience?’” Jones, the Fox News host, said the former president asked him over the phone. “Normally, when shots are fired, there is a stampede. But he said, ‘Did you hear them stand firm with me? Stand firm with the country?
