Trump accepts Republican nomination with call for 'unity'

Donald Trump formally accepted the Republican Party's presidential nomination during a speech capping a convention dominated by the weekend's attempt on his life.

"The discord and division in our society should be healed," the former president said at the start of his speech. 

"I am running to be president for all of America, not half of America, because there is no victory in winning for half of America," he added.

In a 90-minute speech, Trump seemed to have gone off script after the first few minutes. He made various pledges to his voters including putting an "end" to international crises, and carrying out the largest deportation operation in US history.

Trump's acceptance speech marked the climax and conclusion of the four-day Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee.

Trump speaks about Biden's 'failed' leadership

Despite adopting a notably conciliatory tone at the start of his speech, Trump later said, "under the current administration, we are a nation in decline."

Going offscript, Trump mentioned President Joe Biden by name, something he did not plan to do, according to reports ahead of the speech. 

"If you take the ten worst presidents...they would not have done the damage Biden has done," he said. 

He also repeated his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him, saying, "We're never gonna let that happen again." 

Trump promises to 'end' international crises

Trump also discussed foreign policy, vowing to "end every single international crisis that the current administration has created."

He claimed that if he were president, the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war would not have happened.

"I can stop wars with a telephone call," he claimed but did not expand on how. 

Trump also accused Biden of having lost control of the US southern border.

"We also have an illegal immigration crisis, and it's taking place right now as we sit here in this beautiful arena. It's a massive invasion at our southern border that has spread misery, crime, poverty, disease and destruction to communities all across our land," Trump said.

"I will end the illegal immigration crisis by closing our border and finishing the wall," he added.

Trump says he is 'saving democracy'

Over the four days, a stream of speakers aimed to depict Trump as a compassionate family man and dedicated public servant unfairly criticized by Democratic opponents.

The televised event aimed to win over undecided voters who are not entirely opposed to him but dislike the drama that often surrounds him.

"I stand before you this evening with a message of confidence, strength and hope. Four months from now, we will have an incredible victory, and we will begin the four greatest years in the history of our country," Trump said.

Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts related to a criminal hush money scheme in New York. He is still facing charges in two other cases, one in a federal court and one in a state court.

"The Democratic Party should immediately stop weaponizing the justice system and labeling their political opponent as an enemy of democracy," he said. 

"Especially since that is not true. In fact, I am the one saving democracy for the people of our country," he added. 

However, Trump's allies largely avoided his legal issues during the RNC, focusing instead on Trump's near-assassination.

Trump recounts assassination attempt

The failed assassination attempt against the former president galvanized the support of his own base. 

"There was blood pouring everywhere, yet, in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side," Trump said. "I'm not supposed to be here tonight."

Earlier he said the shooting led him to change his acceptance speech from what was going to be made up largely of attacks on President Biden to one more focused on bringing the country together.

"As Americans, we are bound together by a single fate and a shared destiny. We rise together. Or we fall apart," Trump said.

Trump resurgent as Biden in disarray

Trump and his running mate JD Vance face the Democratic ticket of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 election.

Trump already led incumbent president Biden in several key swing states, but his narrow escape from death could put further wind behind his sails ahead of the presidential election.

Trump's appearance on Thursday comes as Biden clings to his party's nomination in the face of unrelenting pressure from his own party leaders who fear he may be unable to win reelection after his disastrous debate.

Harris made no comment on the crisis in a speech in the battleground state of North Carolina.

She said Trump's call for unity would have little credibility, given his persistent refusal to acknowledge his 2020 election defeat.

"We're too busy watching what you're doing to hear what you're saying," she said.

lo/sms,fb (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)