Saturday, July 18, 2026

Trump accepts Republican presidential nomination, Democrats pressure Biden to step down

“I am here tonight to lay out a vision for the whole nation,” Mr Trump declared.

• July 19, 2024
Trump at Republican convention Thursday night
Trump at Republican convention Thursday night[Credit: WTTW News]

Former American President Donald Trump accepted the Republican Party’s presidential nomination on Thursday during the conclusion of the Party’s convention in Milwaukee. This came amid the Democrats’ ongoing struggle to persuade President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race.

In a lengthy acceptance speech that spanned over 90 minutes, Mr Trump sought to project a vision of national unity, vowing to overcome the political divisions that have marked his previous tenure. 

“I am here tonight to lay out a vision for the whole nation,” Mr Trump declared. “To every citizen, whether you are young or old, man or woman, Democrat, Republican or independent, Black or white, Asian or Hispanic, I extend to you a hand of loyalty and friendship.”

Thursday’s speech was Mr Trump’s first since surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the previous Saturday. 

“I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of Almighty God,” Mr Trump said, referring to the attack while also paying tribute to Corey Comperatore, a rally attendee who was killed while shielding his family during the attack.

On the other hand, the Democrats are in a desperate campaign to persuade Mr Biden to step aside in favour of a more viable candidate following his poor performance in the presidential debates earlier this year.

Mr Biden’s confusing Vice-President Kamala Harris with Mr Trump and mistaking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Russian leader Vladimir Putin at a NATO summit have further cast doubt on his mental acuity.

Despite the pressure, Mr Biden has remained resolute in his intention to continue his campaign. 

The 81-year-old president, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, has been in isolation since Wednesday.

According to the New York Times, several people close to Mr Biden believed that he had begun to accept the idea that he may not be able to win in November and may have to drop out of the race. 

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