It’s difficult to describe historical moments as they’re unfolding, but let me hazard a few initial observations about former President Donald Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night.
Watching a presidential candidate (and former president) describe his near-assassination less than a week after a bullet came within millimeters of ending his life is quite simply the most captivating, awe-inspiring thing that has ever happened at a political convention in this country.
“I will tell you exactly what happened, and you’ll never hear it from me a second time because it’s actually too painful to tell,” Trump said.
In a calm, almost somber tone, Trump recounted in detail his near-death experience to a breathless watching world. “I’m not supposed to be here,” he said, attributing his survival to “the grace of Almighty God.” Many in attendance, and not a few watching at home, were in tears as Trump told his tale. He described getting shot in the ear, the blood running down his face, and the Secret Service agents shielding him. Again he invoked divine providence: “There was blood pouring, and yet, in a certain way, I felt very safe because I had God on my side.”
Then he described the crowd’s reaction: They didn’t run, they didn’t stampede. They were worried about him, Trump said, afraid he might be badly wounded — or worse. Trump said he wanted to show them he was all right, that he wasn’t going anywhere. So he stood up, raised his fist,
