Friday, March 29, 2024

GOP Convention Day Four Wrap-Up: Trump Delivers the Speech to End All Speeches

The GOP convention wrapped up last night. First of all, the big winner of the night: Heavenly Joy!

She is just six years old. Wow. What a voice.

Ivanka Trump also had a pretty good night.

And she got excellent reviews.

But this was a night for Donald Trump. He had to deliver the biggest speech of his lifetime, and he did it. Watch below:

It was a LONG speech — nearly 75 minutes. It was dark. It painted a grim but generally accurate picture of where we are at as a country. But it was, at times, very aspirational. He argued that “we can have the country we want.” Trump made the argument that America was up against the wall and only he could fix it. I think it was very powerful.

A lot of conservative pundits are frustrated that Trump didn’t mention this issue or that issue. I understand and even share in that frustration. But I think it is important to note that this speech was not intended for media elites, donors, or Washington think tanks. This was a speech designed to drive home a message to the average American voter, to those struggling to get ahead, to those who have lost hope.

Trump clearly recognizes that this election will be a “law and order” election. He referred to himself as a “Law and Order President” at least four or five times. He also recognizes the threat to national security that ISIS poses. He chose a dark setting, sure, but we are living in unprecedented times. Our police officers are under constant attack and terrorists are launching attacks on the West seemingly every week. Americans feel unsafe. Trump touched on that and contrasted himself with Hillary Clinton brilliantly.

But in addition to the law and order focus, he really focused on America being a rigged system that makes it impossible for working people to get ahead. This is a message that doesn’t make sense to media elites. They will point to statistics that say the economy is doing just fine. “Wages aren’t flat!” one young Washington think tanker lamented on Twitter last night. But tell that to people living in the Heartland. Trump’s argument makes perfect sense to those in middle America who have watched manufacturing leave their small towns and good paying jobs disappear over the last couple decades.

Last night, Trump said, “I am your voice.” He is referring to those disaffected Americans who have felt stuck and helpless for so long. These aren’t Republicans or Democrats. They are typically apolitical. They are people — millions of people — who have lost hope. He gives them real hope that America can be great again, and it’s why he will probably win in November.

Jon Schweppe is the Communications Director for American Principles Project. Follow him on Twitter @JonSchweppe.

More From The Pulse