THE LADY IS THE CHAMP
WASHINGTON: Melania Trump urged Americans to come together “in a civil manner” and argued her husband was the best person to lead the nation’s pandemic recovery in her most significant speech as first lady.
Mrs Trump told several dozen supporters at the White House on day two of the Republican National Convention that “we need my husband’s leadership now more than ever”.
Mrs Trump was also the first RNC speaker to meaningfully address the toll of the coronavirus as she thanked “healthcare workers, frontline workers and teachers who stepped up in these difficult times”.
“I want to acknowledge the fact that since March, our lives have changed drastically. The invisible enemy, COVID-19, swept across our beautiful country and impacted all of us,” she said.
“My deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one and my prayers are with those who are ill or suffering.
“I want you to know you are not alone.”
In contrast to the more aggressive speeches by Donald Trump’s son, Eric, Melania said she would not directly criticise her husband’s Democrat opposition because “that kind of talk only serves to divide our country further”.
“I urge people to come together in a civil manner,” she said. “I also ask people to stop the violence and looting being done in the name of justice. And never make assumptions based on the colour of a person’s skin. Instead of tearing things down, let’s reflect on our mistakes.”
Mrs Trump admitted her husband wasn’t a “traditional politician” but said “he is what is best for our country”.
“I am here tonight because we need my husband,” she said. “He loves this country and knows how to get things done. As you have learned in the past five years, he is not a traditional politician.”
Mr Trump’s youngest daughter, Tiffany, the least political of his adult children, made a pitch to moderate voters. “If you are hearing these things and thinking to yourself, that is the kind of country I want to live in, well, whether you realised it or not, you’re a Trump supporter,” she said.
Ms Trump, 26, who has just graduated from law school, described how leftwing bullies had made college students scared to speak out through “cancel culture”.
“For our education system it meant sacrificing civil debate, by creating an atmosphere where students with contrary opinions are too afraid to speak,” she said.
Another cancel culture “victim” to speak out was Nick Sandmann, the Covington Catholic College student who won record defamation payouts from CNN and other media for mischaracterising his run-in with a Native American protester last year.
Mr Sandmann was slammed across the country because he was wearing a Make America Great Again cap supporting Mr Trump.
Democrat candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, were the target of a blistering attack from former Florida attorney-general Pam Bondi.
Ms Bondi described a “pattern of conduct” that showed Mr Biden’s family had benefited in business deals with foreign governments including Ukraine, China and Iran though his position.
These claims are vehemently denied by the Biden campaign.