(Getty Images)
Donald Trump officially accepted the GOP nomination for president on Thursday at the Republican National Convention. Watch full video of his speech below.
As Gossip Cop has reported, the Republican National Convention for the 2016 presidential election began on Monday. During Tuesday’s session, Trump was officially nominated to be the party’s candidate after each state’s delegates entered votes into the record. Now, after an introduction from daughter Ivanka Trump, the mogul addressed his supporters with a lengthy acceptance speech.
After a standing ovation, applause, and chants, Trump began, “Friends, delegates and fellow Americans: I humbly and gratefully accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States.” He then joined the crowd in a “USA” chant, before touting voter turnout during the Republican primary. “Who would’ve believed this?” he asked.
Trump said he can “lead” America back to “safety, prosperity and peace” as “country of generosity of warmth,” adding, “but we also be a country of law and order.” He vowed that the “crime and violence that today afflicts our nation will soon, and I mean very soon, will come to an end.” And he received loud cheers for saying, “We cannot afford to be so politically correct anymore.”
Digs against the Democratic party and President Obama followed. Trump then discussed immigration, and the audience could be heard shouting, “Build that wall.” Remarks about the economy, including poverty and debt, came next. “We’re going to fix that,” the former “Celebrity Apprentice” host promised.
“Now let us consider the state of affairs abroad. Not only have our citizens endured domestic disaster, but they have lived through one international humiliation after another,” Trump went on. He called out Clinton’s years in foreign policy, and said, “This is the legacy of Hillary Clinton: death, destruction and weakness. But Hillary Clinton’s legacy does not have to be America’s legacy.”
Trump announced, “A change in leadership is required to change these outcomes. Tonight, I will share with you my plan of action for America. The most important difference between our plan and that of our opponents, is that our plan will put America first.” He then revealed, “My plan will begin with safety at home – which means safe neighborhoods, secure borders, and protection from terrorism.”
“My message is that things have to change, and they have to change right now,” Trump declared. “Every day I wake up determined to deliver for the people I have met all across this nation that have been neglected, ignored, and abandoned.” Around this point, a protester interrupted the speech, but was quickly restrained, leading Trump to shout-out the Cleveland police.
More attacks on Clinton, particularly on her email scandal and finances, followed. Bernie Sanders, Trump said, “He never had a chance. But his supporters will join our movement, because we will fix his biggest issue: trade.” The businessman then recognized his vice presidential running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence. “He is a man of character and accomplishment. He is the right man for the job,” Trump asserted.
Trump then went back to the subject of violence, and brought up the shooting in Dallas, and others that followed. “An attack on law enforcement is an attack on all Americans,” he said, prompting loud cheers. The GOP nominee further asserted, “In this race for the White House, I am the ‘law and ‘order candidate,” and called out President Obama’s “rhetoric.”
It was also said Obama’s administration has “failed” on education, jobs, and crime. Trump then returned to the subject of foreign affairs, promising, “We are going to defeat the barbarians of ISIS.” He then segued, though, into domestic terrorist, bringing up the Orlando massacre. “As your President, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBT citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology,” vowed Trump.
He also thanked the audience for cheering those comments. Applause soon followed again when Trump called Israel “our greatest ally.” And then once more when he announced, “We must immediately suspend immigration from any nation that has been compromised by terrorism until such time as proven vetting mechanisms have been put in place. We do not want them in this country.”
“I only want to admit individuals into our country who will support our values and love our people,” Trump continued. He further declared, “We are going to build a great border wall to stop illegal immigration, to stop the gangs and the violence, and to stop the drugs from pouring into our communities.” He also assured the crowd, “On January 21st of 2017, the day after I take the oath of office, Americans will finally wake up in a country where the laws of the United States are enforced.”
Going back to the economy, Trump announced, “I’m going to make our country rich again.” He then tied some current woes to Bill Clinton’s presidency, and took shots at China for “currency manipulation.” Taxes were the next subject, along with “excessive regulation.” Additional promises included, “We will repeal and replace disastrous Obamacare,” “We will fix TSA at the airports,” “We will completely rebuild our depleted military,” and “We will take care of our great veterans like they have never been taken care of before.”
Trump went on, “We are also going to appoint justices to the United States Supreme Court who will uphold our laws and our Constitution. The replacement for our beloved Justice Scalia will be a person of similar views and principles and judicial philosophies. This will be one of the most important issues decided by this election. My opponent wants to essentially abolish the 2nd amendment. I, on the other hand, received the early and strong endorsement of the National Rifle Association and will protect the right of all Americans to keep their families safe.”
Another pivot, Trump then said, “At this moment, I would like to thank the evangelical and religious community who have been so good to me,” admitting, “I’m not sure I totally deserve it.” That was the intro for promising religious freedom of speech, before launching into the final section of his remarks. “It is time to show the whole world that America is back — bigger, and better and stronger than ever before,” the candidate said.
Taking a personal tone, Trump announced, In this journey, I’m so lucky to have at my side my wife Melania and my wonderful children, Don, Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, and Barron. You will always be my greatest source of pride and joy.” After commending Ivanka and Melania’s own speeches, Trump mentioned his late parents, as well as his siblings.
“I have had a truly great my life in business,” Trump acknowledged. “But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country, to go to work for all of you. It’s time to deliver a victory for the American people. We don’t win anymore, but we’re going to start winning again.”
He went on, “History is watching. It’s waiting to see if we will rise to the occasion, and if we will show the whole world that America is still free and independent and strong.” Trump further said, “My opponent asks her supporters to recite a three-word loyalty pledge. It reads: ‘I’m with her.’ I choose to recite a different pledge. My pledge reads, “I’m with you, the American people.’ I am your voice.
“So, to every parent who dreams for their child, and to every child who dreams for their future, I say these words to you tonight: I am with you, and I will fight for you, and I will win for you,” Trump concluded. To all Americans tonight, in all our cities and in all of our towns, I make this promise: We will make America strong again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again, and we will make America great again. God bless you, and goodnight. I love you!”
At that point, Trump was joined by his family, confetti rang out, and balloons dropped from above. Gossip Cop will have full video of Trump’s RNC speech shortly. Check out the first portion, and come back soon for the rest.
