At Republican convention, Donald Trump watches ex-rivals fall in line
Donald Trump returned to the Republican National Convention Tuesday for a night intended to unify the party, as his failed primary challengers displayed their fealty to the now official US presidential candidate.
Three former rivals took the stage during prime time to publicly throw their support behind the former president, including onetime UN ambassador Nikki Haley who told delegates that «a unified Republican Party is essential for saving» the nation.
Trump, again wearing a white bandage on his ear that was injured in Saturday's assassination attempt, waved, shook hands and said «thank you very much» as delegates burst into an ovation.
While he made no formal remarks, the 78-year-old backslapped and chatted with his new running mate J.D. Vance and others, pumping his fist and looking visibly more relaxed than during his emotional entrance the previous night.
The Republican leader has been widely feted at the four-day convention, where on Thursday he is set to formally accept his party's nomination as the flagbearer to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in November.
Tuesday was an exercise in presenting a unified front, but the smattering of boos that echoed with cheers across the convention floor when Haley took the stage — with Trump looking on — suggested the party had work to do to gather the base's four corners for the final four months of a bruising presidential campaign.
Haley had antagonized Trump during the primary battle but on Tuesday she was clear: «Donald Trump has my strong endorsement,
